GDST Heads of Geography June 2016

Raphael Heath

Overview of the day

From 9:30am:        Arrival and registration - Refreshments available

10:00am                 Welcome, H&S, and introduction to the conference. Raphael Heath (RHSB) and Nicolette Liston (SHHS)

10:15am                 Fieldwork presentation and discussion. Shelly Monk; OCR A level Subject Specialist.

11:00am                  Presentation on the Water cycle for the new A level. Professor Geraldene Wharton; School of Geography, Queen Mary, University of London.

11:30am                        Break for refreshments

11:45am                   Presentation on the Carbon cycle for the new A level. Dr Emily Lines, School of Geography, Queen Mary, University of London.

12:15pm                        Break for lunch

1.00pm                     Presentation on Changing Places topic for the new A level and developing A level investigations on this topic. Professor Alastair Owens, School of Geography, Queen Mary. University of London.

2.00pm                      Elective sessions – Peer to Peer.

                                    - Glacial landscapes. Nicolette Liston (SHHS) and James Earp (NHS).

                                    - Coastal landscapes. Lindsay Stevens (BLA) and Andy Doddridge (SCHS).

                                    Though these teachers have agreed to coordinate these sessions, if all delegates bring teaching ideas and resources to discuss and share, this will be more enriching for all.

3.00pm                         Future GDST Geography Collaboration

3.30pm                         Closing remarks and thanks.

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Collaboration for new specifications

We need to work hard to ensure we collaborate effectively with all the new specification changes. We need a clear system for sharing resources and asking for help.

• Sharing resources – use of descriptors and tags for topics and exam board
• Asking for help – need to have an up to date list of what exam boards and option topics people are undertaking from September 2016 with contact details. https://gdst.wufoo.com/forms/z162ntkb1ag979d/ and results on https://gdst.wufoo.eu/reports/gdst-geography-gcse-and-alevel-2016/
• Discussion areas – for specific exam boards and Key Stage

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Everyone introduce themselves, their school and their planned GCSE and A level specs

Trust Digital Consultant role and subject champion

• I will spend 1 day a week in this new role
• To support teachers in using digital technology across schools and across subjects
• Will be visiting some schools - Would like to pop in when visiting a school for a chat
• Opportunity to visit if you want support in GIS/ geography specific uses of digital

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• Future roles will become available
• Need to identify one or two people to take a lead in Geography collaboration

GDST Hub – community, CPD, Oracle

GDST Hub – community, CPD, Oracle

GDST Hub – community, CPD, Oracle

The Map Off 2016

http://themapoff.wix.com/mapoff

https://rhsb.maps.arcgis.com/apps/GeoForm/index.html?appid=cef27207f50e46768186a5b3b251925b

Making an event of the Map Off event 2016

The Map Off event could be just a small part of one lesson, or you can make a bigger event out of it:

• Teaser posters around the school promoting the Map Off in advance
• Assembly about Geography/ GIS/ climate change in the week
• A stand with your geography club members promoting geography and getting people to fill in the Map Off form
• Climate change simulation games to play
• Hold a climate change themed quiz event
• Competition for students work based on Map Off event and data
• Make a special effects “day after tomorrow” disaster movie in your school using Action movie app to show students

Geography competitions

Discuss views about the value and approach to a GDST Geography competition. We have run an article/ essay competition for 2 years – entries have been low.

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• Pros – promotes the subject, reward excellent students.
• Cons – If many enter only a few will win. Hard to find time with students on top of other things and competitions. Hard to judge winners. Takes time to judge.

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Proposal - Essay e.g. “What are the implications of climate change to my local area?”. Open to year 9 and 12. 1,500 words. Linked to Map Off event. Deadline Dec or Jan 2017.

Or “What have maps ever done for us?” essay for year 12

Also like the idea of doing a quiz between schools – can we do one either online or paper based “Olympiad” style?

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RGS data skills in geography CPD

The RGS will provide a free training day on data skills at the RGS or within schools. Aimed at skills in the new GCSE and A level.

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If we can get enough numbers then we could arrange a specific day.

�Would people be interested in principle?

What kind of timing? Autumn term 2016 – weds 12 / 19 Oct?

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Simon Pinfield�Project Coordinator: Data Skills in Geography

http://www.rgs.org/OurWork/Schools/Data+skills+in+geography/Local+CPD+opportunities.htm

GA conference April 2016

I have put in a proposal for a session on GeoGames – using games to teach topics

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Would be useful to have any resources people are willing to share

Would be great to run this jointly with others

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Please contact Raphael if interested

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Future A level investigation plans

The new A level personal investigation provides a new challenge to approach. Would be useful to hear what people are planning and also explore opportunities for collaboration and shared trips where appropriate:

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• When do you plan to take students out?
• Where will you go?
• What kinds of fieldwork will you complete over the 4 days?
• How are you approaching the individual investigation within this

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Planet e-stream next release

http://planetenterprisesltd.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/3E747C9D2DA9914B/46E318A72FE87C634E9AB52EF5D51DA2 and connect: http://www.planetestream.co.uk/connect.aspx

Firefly 6 – next release

http://fireflylearning.com/blog/introducing-firefly-6

RGS resources for A level investigation

http://www.rgs.org/OurWork/Schools/Teaching+resources/GIS+resources/Investigating+the+geography+of+crime.htm

https://rhsb.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/?appid=cb1d9dcd6c914e848d9708754093b845

Professional accreditation/ recognition

The GA provide an opportunity to apply for the Secondary Geography Quality mark and also Centre of Excellence status

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• Who has completed this?
• If interested discuss with Raphael what is involved.

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Also RGS has Chartered Geographer scheme. Very straightforward. Need to become a “Fellow” and then apply for the Chartered Geographer – which is relatively easy for teachers.

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Interesting events

Would be useful to collate a range of events which our geographers can become involved with. For example:

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• RGS Ambassadors scheme – they come into your school to run a workshop for free
• British Cartographic Society – Restless earth workshops – Free – come into your school and run a half day activity.

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http://www.rgs.org/OurWork/Schools/Careers+and+Further+Study/Promoting+and+supporting+geography+in+your+school+or+college/Geography+Ambassador+scheme/Geography+Ambassador+scheme.htm

http://www.rgs.org/OurWork/Schools/Careers+and+Further+Study/Promoting+and+supporting+geography+in+your+school+or+college/Geography+Ambassador+scheme/Teachers.htm

http://www.cartography.org.uk/about/

Date and place of next meeting

Useful to get some plan for who can host our next meeting and a good date.

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Summer term:

Week of Mon 5 to 9 June?

Week of Mon 12 to 18 June?

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Location?

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