Geography concepts: What, why and how? Liz Taylor University of Cambridge

(This slide showed an image of an exercise book page from 1947 – lots of small pictures showing characteristics and products of different regions of France.)

(This slide showed a detailed map in coloured pencil of the relief and key features of Spain and Portugal.)

A more recent example… Ecosystems Elements in an ecosystem (biotic, abiotic, food chains and webs) Rainforest ecosystems Desert ecosystems Mediterranean ecosystems Geography concepts: what, why & how?

An even more recent example… Geography of crime Defining and categorising crime Crime in the local area Mapping crime (GIS) Preventing crime Geography concepts: what, why & how?

What’s the big idea? Key concepts can be used in planning to give focus, to aid selection of content, to organise. Geography concepts: what, why & how?

A detailed knowledge of content is important concepts methods (processes, skills) knowledge (range, content) Geography concepts: what, why & how?

But which concepts should we use to organise it? Geography concepts: what, why & how?

Different people, different purposes, different lists… Schools Council Project History, Geography and Social Science (1976) in Marsden (1995) Leat (1998) Jackson (2006) communication power beliefs and values conflict/consensus continuity/change similarity/difference causes and consequences cause and effect classification decision-making development inequality location planning systems space and place scale and connection proximity and distance relational thinking Geography concepts: what, why & how?

Which concepts? Concepts are classifiers – tools for making sense of the world Which are most powerful for constructing school geography around (in this time and place)? Geography concepts: what, why & how?

Key concepts in the 2008 NC place space scale interdependence physical and human processes environmental interaction and sustainable development cultural understanding and diversity Geography concepts: what, why & how?

Geography concepts: what, why & how? Perception & representation Change Interaction Diversity Geography concepts: what, why & how?

Place, space, time central Diversity SPACE PLACE TIME Interaction Change Perception & representation Geography concepts: what, why & how?

The proof of the pudding… … is in whether thinking about these ideas helps us to plan geographically rigorous, engaging and challenging sequences of learning… Geography concepts: what, why & how?

…so how can this happen? Enquiry sequence… short, focussed sequence of lessons a good enquiry question (pith & rigour) driven by a particular big concept outcome activity which answers the question and is integral to the sequence Geography concepts: what, why & how?

Constructing a good question is vital! A question the pupils will want to answer (pith) A question which will encourage careful and challenging thinking about a geographical topic (rigour) Geography concepts: what, why & how?

Do these have pith & rigour? What are the human and physical factors which have affected coastal erosion in the Dunwich area over the past 50 years? Olympics in China: good or bad? Should people be allowed to destroy the Amazon rainforest? Geography concepts: what, why & how?

It’s not easy, but it is important! Some work in progress… How far has my mobile travelled? (interaction/globalisation) Glastonbury: environmental friend or foe? (interaction/sustainability) Where should the Smiths live in Australia? (diversity) Lake District 2050: What will it be like? (change) Geography concepts: what, why & how?

Achieving focus… Question setting Planning sequence (selection) Which key concept? Outcome activity Geography concepts: what, why & how?

Conclusions Why? What? How? Geography concepts: what, why & how?

Challenges for future development… Long term progression Synthesis Geography concepts: what, why & how?

More info… GA website – big concepts thinkpiece (www.geography.org.uk/projects/gtip/thinkpieces/) Teaching Geography – summer ‘08 CPD course 2009 – ejt38@cam.ac.uk Thank you! Geography concepts: what, why & how?

Geography concepts: what, why & how?