Geography

The Course

The Subject Application part of the Geography PGCE Course is continually revised and updated in order to respond to feedback from trainees and mentors and to take account of ongoing government initiatives and legislation. It has been planned to include a range of experiences that will allow trainees to develop the knowledge, skills, understanding and awareness to become good geography teachers. There are three elements that contribute to this: the Subject Application course; the generic Professional Studies course and the two school placements. Making coherent links between these three elements is essential if trainees are to exploit the course to its full potential and make the most of their development opportunities over the course of the year.

Geography Content

During the course trainees will become acquainted with the content and nature of the geography curriculum 11 - 18 and will develop a language to describe the teaching and learning of geography Relevant literature such as the National Curriculum, OFSTED Reports, and the National Strategies will provide a framework to describe geography, the variety of activities, outcomes of related activities and ways of promoting geography in the classroom. A wide range of exemplar resources and methods will be used so that trainee teachers experience different approaches, reflect on their experiences and consider the implications for the classroom. Specific aspects of classroom organisation and management of the National Curriculum and the National Strategies will be introduced. The appropriate use of ICT in teaching and learning geography will be addressed throughout the course. Sessions will involve trainees in discussions, presentations of work and practical activities. Each session is supported by relevant subject reading.

Geography in the National Curriculum - Key Concepts

There are a number of key concepts that underpin the study of geography. Pupils need to understand these concepts in order to deepen and broaden their knowledge, skills and understanding.

1.1 Place
1. Understanding the physical and human characteristics of real places.
2. Developing ‘geographical imaginations' of places.

1.2 Space
1. Understanding the interactions between places and the networks created by flows of information, people and goods.
2. Knowing where places and landscapes are located, why they are there, the patterns and distributions they create, how and why these are changing and the implications for people.

1.3 Scale
1. Appreciating different scales - from personal and local to national, international and global.
2. Making links between scales to develop understanding of geographical ideas.

1.4 Interdependence
1. Exploring the social, economic, environmental and political connections between places.
2. Understanding the significance of interdependence in change, at all scales.

1.5 Physical and human processes
1. Understanding how sequences of events and activities in the physical and human worlds lead to change in places, landscapes and societies.

1.6 Environmental interaction and sustainable development
1. Understanding that the physical and human dimensions of the environment are interrelated and together influence environmental change.
2. Exploring sustainable development and its impact on environmental interaction and climate change.

1.7 Cultural understanding and diversity
1. Appreciating the differences and similarities between people, places, environments and cultures to inform their understanding of societies and economies.
2. Appreciating how people's values and attitudes differ and may influence social, environmental, economic and political issues, and developing their own values and attitudes about such issues.