Becoming a Master of Geography Education: assessment and purpose on the PGCE Clare Brooks PGCE Geography Subject Leader MA in Geog Ed Course Leader

Questions we have been asking What does it mean to be a Master of Geography Education? What can you expect If you are one? If you employ one? If you are taught by one? What does this mean for the PGCE?

Other considerations Notions of professionalism? – Sachs Activist Profession Notions of scholarship? – Synoptic capacity: the ability to draw strands of a field together in a way that provides both coherence and meaning, to place what is known in context and opens the way for connections to be made between the knower and the known. (Rice, 1992 p 125)

Our vision of an MA in Geog Ed graduate to develop a personal response to the challenges they encounter in the field of geography education will be informed by relevant literature and research from both the disciplines of education and geography Be able to undertake an active and influential role in the geography education community Will be able to describe and articulate practice. The course aims to prepare the Geography Educators of In other words it takes a view (and asks participants to do likewise) on what kind of contribution geography can make to educating young people in the year 2020.

Stage One 1a Curriculum Unit (6,000 words) 1b Progression in Geog (2,000) 1c GIS (2,000) Subject Studies Reflection on Teaching/Subject Expertise (5,000) Wider Educational Studies Action Research: AfL (Progression) GIS ESD /GC(Futures/Action) (5,000)

Stage Two - Option Module: Learning Outside the Classroom Emphasised in new QTS Standards Our vision for the MA graduate and progression with the MA itself Topic covered in the course but not explicitly in the assessment Challenging but that also acknowledges prior learning

Assessment What is a necessary component for planning for effective outdoor learning experiences? Poster, presentation and viva

Subject Studies Reflection on Teaching/Subject Expertise (5,000 words) Wider Educational Studies Action Research: AfL (Progression) GIS ESD /GC(Futures/Action) (5,000 words) Option Module LOTC Poster, presentation and viva (5,000 word equivalent) 1.Draft of introduction 2.Draft of first two parts 3.Peer assessment 4.Final draft 5.Formative/Summative feedback 1.Submit research proposals 2.Option to submit draft 3.Final draft 4.Formative/Summative feedback Residential fieldtrip: every night mini- tutorials and group discussions

Evaluation I chose my topic early – I thought the most important dimension was Place. As I worked on the fieldwork tasks, I thought I was right but I realised it was more than the place – it was about thinking why that place was right I had to think about it more. Then when I started to prepare my assignment I realised that this was still to vague – what was it about the place that made it right for the fieldwork to work? Having such a tight timescale and the poster made me synthesise and collect my thoughts

Results

Our approach Enables STs to combine: – Learning about classrooms/teaching/planning – Presentation/oratory skills – Teaching qualities (ie, responding to questions) – Mastery of the field – Judgement, evaluation and reflection

In the spirit of our vision of Master of Geography Education? to develop a personal response to the challenges they encounter in the field of geography education will be informed by relevant literature and research from both the disciplines of education and geography Be able to undertake an active and influential role in the geography education community Will be able to describe and articulate practice.

Questions What is the role for practice-based assessment in Masters level work? What is an appropriate balance between academic and practice-based assessment?