Geographical Association

'I've felt reinvigorated to go back to my school and shake everything up!'
'Excellent - as a first-timer why haven't I been before?!'
'Inspired to go forth and try new things!'

From 12-14 April 2012 we welcomed more than 700 delegates from all over the world to take part in a range of lectures, workshops, field visits and social events and find out about the latest ideas, resources and support in primary and secondary geography.

Once again we have a fantastic set of Conference photographs courtesy of Bryan Ledgard. View a selection on Flickr or contact Anne Greaves if you're after something specific.

Find out which publishers, schools and individuals won GA Awards at the 2012 event.

And finally, if you didn't get chance to complete an evaluation form in Manchester, we'd be very grateful if you could complete this online form - thank you!

PowerPoint Presentations and workshop handouts for many of the sessions at the 2012 Annual Conference are available to download below. Please note that some materials may have had images removed for copyright reasons.

Lectures
Workshops
Field Visits
Reporting Research
Forums
PGCE/NQT Event
Teacher to Teacher

LECTURES

Lecture Plus 1: Africa: diversity and development

Subject Update
Professor Tony Binns, Chair of Geography, and Associate Professor Etienne Nel, University of Otago, New Zealand  

This lecture examined themes and case studies about diversity and development in Africa. The presenters considered how they might be delivered in the classroom, in relation to broader issues in development, e.g. inequality, food security, developing empathy, sustainable livelihoods, perception, empowerment, quality of life and Millennium Development Goals.

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 196k)

Lecture 2: Megafloods in the English Channel and their implication for Britain's 'island' status

Subject Update
Professor Sanjeev Gupta, Professor of Earth Sciences, and Dr Jennifer Collier, Reader, Imperial College London  

How did Britain become an island? One hypothesis is that a megaflood event cut the Dover Strait, the narrow gap that separates Britain from the continent. This lecture showed how new high-resolution sonar data reveal landscapes on the floor of the English Channel that were carved by megafloods.

Download: Chair's Summary (PDF, 42k)

Lecture 3: Re-imagining and reshaping the city

P16
Professor Michael Bradford, Emeritus Professor of Geography, University of Manchester 

This lecture linked the AQA specification options 4 (World Cities) and 6 (Contemporary Conflicts/Challenges) with the Conference theme, demonstrating how and why cities have been re-imagined and reshaped, and for whom. It also analysed recent conflicts and alternative futures. Manchester was used as a detailed example. Sponsored by AQA

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 4.3M)

Lecture 4: P16 choice: Cambridge Pre-U geography

P16
Peter Price, Head of Geography, Charterhouse School, Godalming and Claire Sladden, Chief Examiner, CIE Pre-U Geography. Chair: Paul Baker, Chair, GA ISSIG  

As a stand-alone principal subject instead of A-level, or as part of the Pre-U Diploma, Cambridge Pre-U geography is both new and different. This lecture introduced the qualification and looked at the ways it is best taught (including fieldwork) and assessed. Presented by GA ISSIG

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 4.3M)

Lecture Plus 5: Geomedia in secondary education

KS4
Alan Parkinson, Consultant, John Lyon, Programme Director, Geographical Association and Dr Michael Solem, Educational Affairs Director, Association of American Geographers

This lecture showed the work of the digital-earth.eu project in promoting the use of geomedia, i.e. working with spatial information such as digital maps and photos, videos and texts. Geomedia plays a role in analysing and solving spatial problems so it is important that students become familiar with the technologies. Sponsored by digital-earth.eu

Download: Lecture Slides (PDF, 4M)
Download: PowerPoint Presentation (Michael Solem) (PPT, 263k)

Lecture Plus 7: Core knowledge and the revised curriculum

All KS
Dr Stephen Scoffham, Principal Lecturer, Canterbury Christ Church University   

The government's proposal to reform the national curriculum has stimulated a lively debate. What is core knowledge in geography? What is the basis for selecting it? Can it ever be value free? As well as raising questions, this lecture explored constructive responses to the challenge of curriculum change.

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 680k)
Download: Core knowledge in the revised curriculum (Geography article)

Lecture 8: Exploring differences in society using the UK census

Subject Update
Dr Paul Norman, Lecturer in Human Geography, University of Leeds   

This lecture demonstrated how the UK census can be used to investigate changes in ethnic diversity, social status, health inequalities and area characteristics. Media and general public views on these topics may not conform with statistical evidence so encouragement was given for a better understanding of how and why data about society are collected, and how and why it should be analysed and interpreted. The prospects for quantitative human geography without a 2021 census were also discussed.

Download: Lecture Slides (PDF, 1.3M)

Lecture Plus 8: Differences geography makes

EY-KS2
Professor Simon Catling, Professor of Primary Education, Oxford Brookes University   

Which primary geographical experiences make differences for pupils - and that they can use to make differences too? This session explored aspects of younger pupils' geographical learning and ways it can affect their lives and the lives of others, the subject of geography intertwining with pupils everyday geographies to their mutual benefit.

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 351k)

Lecture 13: Five countries - all you need for IB Geography?

P16
Richard Allaway, IB Geography Teacher, International School of Geneva

The IB Geography syllabus recommends that case studies should be 'chosen from a limited number of countries (between three and five) of contrasting levels of development'. Can it be done? Should it be done? This lecture outlined how case studies from five countries could be used to teach the course, including three optional themes. Sponsored by International Baccalaureate Organization

Website: Geography All The Way Blog (workshop slides)

Lecture 15: Keeping up to date with subject knowledge

KS3-P16
Dr Charles Rawding, Senior Lecturer in Geography Education, Edge Hill University   

This lecture investigated how geography departments can ensure that their curriculum remains relevant and topical and stays in touch with developments in academic geography. Presented by GA TESIG

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 5M)

Lecture 18: Is physical geography essential?

KS3-P16
Duncan Hawley, Chair, GA Physical Geography Special Interest Group

This lecture debated the role of physical geography in the curriculum, with arguments posed for it as a strong and distinctive component of geography and counter-arguments for a more incidental, integrative or passive physical geography. Presented by GA PGSIG

Download: PowerPoint Presentation - Duncan Hawley (PPT, 243k)
Download: PowerPoint Presentation - Charles Rawding (PPT, 2.5M)
Download: PowerPoint Presentation - Steve Brace (PPT, 3.3M)

Lecture 20: Japan one year on: towards the (re)construction of the shrinking regions

KS3-P16
Dr Peter Matanle, Lecturer in Japanese Studies, University of Sheffield

Japan's rural regions have been shrinking for the entire post-war period, and successive efforts to revitalise rural society have failed. Will the Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami, and subsequent nuclear meltdown, present a watershed opportunity to rethink regional revitalisation? What impact will it have on national energy strategies? This lecture summarised the events of the spring and summer of 2011 and examined possible approaches to the reconstruction of communities in the Tohoku region. The Japanese government is developing a new vision for a safe, sustainable, and compassionate society as part of its reconstruction plans; how will this be achieved? Sponsored by The Japan Society

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 8.8M)
Contact: p.matanle@sheffield.ac.uk (to discuss the issues raised in this lecture)

Lecture 22: Weather: space and time differences

KS3-P16
Professor Grant Bigg, Head of Department & Professor of Earth System Science, University of Sheffield   

Weather could be said to be the story of the atmosphere's differences in space and time from a mean regional climate. This lecture asked questions about what underlies weather variability, and showed some simple ways in which it can be illustrated in the school and the local community.

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 911k)

Lecture 23: Putting climate change into a longer historical perspective

Subject Update
Richard Battarbee, Emeritus Professor of Environmental Change, University College London 

Despite the overwhelming evidence for an unprecedented rise in greenhouse gases, it is still difficult to demonstrate that recent global warming itself is unprecedented. This does not undermine the case for global warming, but illustrates the importance of understanding the longer-term natural variability of the climate system.

Download: Chair's Summary (PDF, 39k)

Lecture 24: Geography and the National Curriculum Review

All KS
Professor David Lambert, Chief Executive, Geographical Association

This lecture provided an up to date progress report on the national curriculum review and the GA's vision for the furthering of teaching and learning geography in schools. After years of steady erosion, during which time geography began to lose its place in the school curriculum, geography is back! Well, we hope so. Much depends on government policy, but much also depends on the actions of thousands of teachers working with hundreds of thousands of students. Now is the time for the GA's 'manifesto' to become real. Sponsored by Pearson Edexcel

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 662k)

WORKSHOPS

Workshop 2: Creative sweet physical geography

KS1-2
Tracy Atkinson, Chair, ESTA Primary Team and Niki Whitburn, Member, GA Physical Geography Special Interest Group  

Developing creative geography through the use of food. Delegates used a variety of foodstuffs to demonstrate processes and composition, e.g. relating to strength and erosion. Links were made to rocks, soils, rivers and coasts and included the use of language, maths, science, DT and culture to aid creativity.

Download: Workshop Handout (Word, 56k)

Workshop (IT) 3: Instant computers: mobile devices in the classroom

KS3-P16
Dr Andrew Lee, Head of Juniors, St Paul's School, London

The iPad and iPod offer a wide range of tools available for the geographer to conduct geographical enquiries and to record geographical phenomena during field expeditions, on their journeys to school or on holiday. What are these tools, how do they work and how might they be used?

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 5M)
View: Timelapse Video (YouTube)
View: Students Video (YouTube)

Workshop 6: The big ideas behind geography and the global dimension

KS1-2
Wendy North, Consultant and Helen Griffin, Project Development Manager, DECSY  

Based on the work of a three-year project, this workshop offered practical ideas for teaching geography and the global dimension, and suggested ways to promote learning through the use of Living Geography, story and more.

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 1.7M)
Download: Project Notes - Gemma Eden (Word, 33k)
 Download: Project Notes - Zoe Silverwood (Word, 216k)
 Download: My Box (Word, 32k)
Download: Planning for Global Learning (PPT, 1M)

Workshop 7: Sensual geographies of difference

KS2-3
Steve Rawlinson, Principal Lecturer, Northumbria University

How do children create their different personal images of places? Using stimuli (maps, photographs, artefacts, food etc.) and different enquiry techniques (Desert Island Discs; What's in the Box?; 8 Way Thinking) the sensual nature of this world of difference was explored, and its impact on learning considered.

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 1.1M)
Download: Workshop Activity (Word, 26k)

Workshop 8: Free Microsoft tools for the classroom

KS2-P16
David Rogers, Curriculum Leader of Geography, and Joanna Debens, Teacher of Geography, Priory School, Southsea  

This workshop explored how a range of freely available Microsoft tools can be used in geography classrooms. Links to practice in an award-winning department were used to illustrate how they have been used. Delegates also had the opportunity to share possible applications with other participants. Sponsored by Microsoft

Website: David Rogers (workshop slides and video of live session stream)

Double Workshop (IT) 13: Investigating inequality using GIS

KS3-P16
Bob Lang, Member, GA ICT Special Interest Group and Andy Newing, Member, GA ICT Special Interest Group  

This workshop used online GIS and visualisation packages to investigate inequality at a variety of scales. Delegates took away ideas to use in their teaching. No prior knowledge of GIS was required. Presented by GA ICTSIG

Download: Workshop Booklet (Word, 5.2M)
Download: Example Activities (Word, 1.2M)

Workshop 17: Teaching geography through play

EY-KS2
Jane Whittle, Member, GA Early Years & Primary Phase Committee   

This workshop encouraged teachers to think creatively about their approach to teaching geographical concepts, knowledge and vocabulary. Delegates joined in games which can be transferred into classroom contexts and considered ways of bringing role-play and outdoor games into lessons. It is about having fun with geography! Presented by GA EYPPC

Download: Workshop Handout (Word, 48k)

Workshop 18: Explore with guerrilla geography!

KS1-3
Ruth Potts, Geography and History Co-ordinator, St Michael with St John School, Blackburn   

In this session delegates found out about practical ways to use the 'Mission Explore' books and see them come alive! Help your children become involved with missions from the books or website in a fun and exciting way, and develop their geography knowledge and team-building skills. In partnership with The Geography Collective

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 1.4M)

Workshop 21: A world of our own

EY-KS2
Sharon Witt, Senior Lecturer in Education, University of Winchester and Helen Martin, Head Teacher, Graffham Infant & Duncton CE Junior Schools  

This workshop offered an opportunity for active engagement with the concept of place making. Participants had the chance to build their own den and consider the potential of this activity for teaching primary geography.

Download: Workshop Handout (Word, 308k)

Workshop (IT) 22: Multimedia geography through Google Earth

KS3
Paul Cornish, Head of Geography, Coopers Company & Coborn School, Upminster

This practical workshop showed simple ways of transforming your use of Google Earth through the embedding of video, photographic and other multimedia resources in order to display data from fieldwork, produce interactive lessons or design virtual fieldtrips.

Website: Google Earth CPD (session slides, resources and weblinks)
Buy: Multimedia Made Easy (GA publication by Paul Cornish)

Workshop 25: We ♥ geography!

EY-KS2
Anthony Barlow, Senior Lecturer in Primary Geography, Roehampton University

This workshop gave proud geographers the chance to share what's special and what's different about geography. Participants left wearing their very own '♥Geography' badges, knew how to make their own Manchester 'Geo Cubes' and nested hierarchy from a paper plate as well as adding ideas about their own sensory geographical memories to a collective '♥Geography quilt'! Simple ideas from the primary geography classroom can brighten up anyone's day!

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 762k)

Workshop 29: Family geographies: where do you think you came from?

KS1-3
Dr Margaret Mackintosh, Primary Geography Consultant   

Encouraged by the television programme 'Who Do You Think You Are?', many people have been researching their family history. Family geography - the places and environments where different generations lived, the jobs they and their neighbours had, the moves they made and more - were explored in this session, as well as the scope for using it in the primary classroom. Presented by GA EYPPC

Download: Workshop Handout (Word, 39k)

Workshop (IT) 31: International GIS education

KS2-P16
Dr Joseph Kerski, 2011 President, National Council for Geographic Education

Classroom, community, and careers. Scholarship, citizenship, and artisanship. What do these phrases and a recent international perspectives book I co-authored on the topic say about the future of GIS in education?  How can Web GIS, the geographic perspective, and spatial enquiry be used in education? Sponsored by digital-earth.eu

Website: ArcGIS (workshop slides)
Website: YouTube (reflections on geography education and the GA Annual Conference)

Workshop 32: Managing differentiagtion: providing stretch and support

KS3-4
Gary Dawson, AST for Geography, Fair Oak Business and Enterprise College and Members of GA Secondary Phase Committee  

In a mixed-ability class there are often extreme differences in abilities. This workshop aimed to provide strategies for managing both students who are very able and those who are less able. Presented by GA SPC

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 867k)
Download: An Outstanding Lesson Plan on PowerPoint (PPT, 161k)
Download: Types of Differentiation (PPT, 102k)
Download: Isle of Wight Objectives and Exam Questions (PPT, 145k)
Download: Lesson Observation Pro Forma (Word, 82k)
Download: What If… (Word, 35k)
Download: Reviewing Your Own Practice (Word, 53k)
Download: From Weather to Climate (PPT, 1.4M)
Download: Glaciation Lesson (PPT, 557k)
Download: Glaciation Worksheet - Higher (Word, 32k)
Download: Glaciation Worksheet - Lower (Word, 141k)

Double Workshop (IT) 33: Using mobile devices to enhance learning

EY-KS2
Andrew Hoang, E-learning Advisor, Roehampton University and Andy Newing, Member, GA ICT Special Interest Group  

This workshop showed how mobile devices, which most of us carry in our pocket, can be used to promote cross-curricular learning and provide opportunities to collect and present data using simple but powerful free tools. It also provided ideas for assessment and future planning. Presented by GA ICTSIG

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 1.3M)
Download: Workshop Handout (Word, 33k)

Workshop 35: Connecting young people through climate change

KS3-4
Angus Willson, Consultant, www.pannage.com

This workshop explored the way UK students can engage with the injustices of climate change through connecting with students in other countries who are directly affected by the problems. It explored how students relate to concepts of sustainability, poverty, development and justice through practical teaching methods. The relevance to the geography curriculum was also highlighted.

Website: Pannage (workshop presentation and references)

Workshop 38: The Eyjafjallajökull eruption 2010

KS3-P16
David Rogers, Curriculum Leader of Geography, Priory School, Southsea 

Discover the World has launched an exciting and stimulating educational pack appropriate for KS3, GCSE and A-level focusing on the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull in 2010. In this workshop, David Rogers introduced the pack and discussed how best to use it in the classroom. Attendees received a free pack, wine and Icelandic treats! In partnership with Discover the World

Website: David Rogers (workshop slides and video of live stream)
Website: Eyjafjallajökull Study Aid by Discover the World (login required)

FIELD VISITS

REPORTING RESEARCH

Reporting Research: An exploration of how young people relate to the cultural landscape of London

Lauren Hammond, MPhil/PhD Student, Institute of Education, London

This session presented the work I have completed so far on my PhD, which explores how and why young people relate to the cultural landscape of London and how this can be explored through the geography curriculum at key stage 3.

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 222k)

Reporting Research: Studying student perceptions of a subject at key stage 3 and their influence on option choices: geography at a rural 11–16 village college

Katie Niven, MA Student, University of Cambridge

This study considers student perceptions of geography, focusing on Year 9 students. My rationale was to better understand students' views of geography and how this affects their options choices. The research has become more topical with the introduction of the English Baccalaureate at Key Stage 4.

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 879k)

Reporting Research: The uses of Twitter for geography teachers/students

Jennifer Watts, Postgraduate Researcher, University of Manchester

This session explained a little about the basics of Twitter and provided a range of examples of how it can be used by educators: as a resource for finding information; for gaining feedback on ideas (inside and outside the classroom); and for linking with other geographers (and nongeographers).

Website: Eternal Exploration (session slides)

Reporting Research: Secondary school geography teachers' conceptions of knowledge in school geography 

Steve Puttick, DPhil Student, University of Oxford

The relationship between school geography and the academic discipline is contested. Questions have been raised over the authenticity of educational knowledge in school geography. This study views teachers as the curriculum makers and argues their understandings of educational knowledge are vital.

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 508k)

Reporting Research: Modernities and geography education: a comparative study of Romania, Sweden and England

Diana Larsson, MA Student, Institute of Education, London

This research study investigates, through a combination of theoretical and empirical methodology, the role of geography education in shaping modernity.

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 184k)

Reporting Research: The south-north educational linking process: comparing southern perspectives 

Alison Leonard, Doctoral Research Student, Institute of Education, London

This research seeks to understand how the schools linking process affects those at the southern end of these relationships. This paper reports analysis of qualitative research in Ghanaian, Ugandan and Tanzanian schools.

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 5M)
Download: Research Paper (PDF, 515k)

Reporting Rsearch: Developing the global dimension 

Dr Stephen Scoffham, Principal Lecturer, Canterbury Christ Church University

Using the example of Fair Trade as a 'lens', this session explored some of the contradictions that permeate current approaches to teaching about the environment and international relations.

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 552k)

FORUMS

PGCE/NQT EVENT

PGCE/NQT Workshop: Creating different geographies through art and creative writing

KS3-P16
Mark Jones, PGCE Geography Tutor, University of the West of England

This workshop explored collaborative working with art and English. Cross-curricular working can mean creative conversations and outcomes but also compromises and conflicts of ideas for both teachers and students. Participants took away ideas (and their own creations) for co-constructing meaningful geographical enquiry through artistic and creative approaches.

Download: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT, 1.9M)
Download: Workshop Notes (PDF, 904k)

PGCE/NQT Workshop: Making maps with mixed-media!

EY-KS2
Anthony Barlow, Senior Lecturer in Primary Geography, Roehampton University   

Do you think you know what a map is? Think again! Encourage thinking skills by using a range of different techniques, including ICT, to help pupils re-tell real, imagined and fantasy journeys. In this session delegates made their own talk strings or journey sticks and found out how a range of 3D junk-art techniques can bring your local area to life!

Download: Lecture Slides (PDF, 3.9M)

TEACHER TO TEACHER

Teacher-to-Teacher: Developing creative geographers

KS3-4
Michael Simmons, Teacher of Geography, The Arthur Terry School

Geography can be too content rich for many students, and at times we are bound by strict physical processes or human theories. However, by giving students a platform to express their knowledge creatively, we can help them develop their learning skills, thinking abilities and a deeper understanding of content.

Website: Box (session slides)

Teacher-to-Teacher: London's Olympic Park: fieldwork legacy

KS3-P16
Helen Robertson, Head of Centre, Field Studies Council London East

What is the potential for fieldwork post London 2012? This session was an open forum to share ideas about opportunities and challenges of undertaking fieldwork in and around the Legacy Park. In partnership with FSC

Website: Field Studies Council (weblinks used in session)

Teacher-to-Teacher: Natural disasters - ShelterBox

KS3
Elizabeth Treglown, Geography NQT

The session showed how KS3 geography, English and citizenship students can be taught about natural disasters in an interactive way.  It focused on the work of ShelterBox, using some of their resources and was delivered by an experienced Response Team Member/geography teacher.

Download: Lecture Slides (PDF, 4.5M)