Found a blog called TechLearning which is looking at how recent ICT developments can be embedded in classroom pratice. I was particularly struck by one posting, by Terry Freedman on web 2.0 which really sets out some of the issues I have been thinking about recently and it is well worth reading it in full by clicking here. Freedman considers that we have a polarity between the “pioneers” and the “luddites,” with the greater majority of teachers in the middle, too busy to know anything about web 2.0 applications. he argues that we need to support the pioneers and focus on helping those who are interested but perhaps don’t know where to start. We should be drawing on good practice from other sectors who are perhaps much more confident in using new computer applications and ideas.
With this in mind I must take some time out to listen to a podcast by ITConversations sent by Jon Oates who is keeping me up to speed on Google Earth and other mapping applications. This is about KLM, a file format used to display geographic data in an Earth browser, such as Google Earth, Google Maps, and Google Maps for mobiles.
This is the title of a book by travel writer Harry Pearson, but with a difference. Harry went on an epic trip around the world, braving many adventures……all without leaving his office. The entire book is based on his internet reseach, drawing on facts, figures, photos, clips from YouTube and blogs to paint a picture of his travels.
As an experiment, my S2 class, in the remaining time available before the end of term are going to try their own small scale version, in which they write a collaborative travel article where each pupil is asked to
- write a description
- post a picture
- copy and paste a map,
of somewhere in the world that they would like to visit. They must try to convey a sense of place. so, they need to think about effective langauge, vivid phrases, accuracy and geographical detail. I am hoping, too, that they will learn something about collaborative working and begin to appreciate the facility of wikis to create, share and edit a piece of work. Their posts will go on the GeoWiki, a wiki I created initially for my own geography pupils, but which I hope to develop further.
Currently marking Credit and General scrits, so apologies for lack of posts. While marking ca be pretty demanding on top of management duties, I like to stay connected with the subject as much as possible, and the markers’ meeting is a good way of keeping touch with colleagues on the Exam team. The same goes for SAGY conferences, of course. Started marking in 1991 and not long after that joined the team as an examiner and then a setter of questions. Thoroughly enjoyed my time with the team; it’s a great way to get know how other schools tick, and ot gets you thinking a lot about your subject. at the end of this session I move on to Hutchesons’ Grammar, where, as Depute Rector, I shall be repsonsible for school ethos, a big challenge, and quite a different remit from my current one at St Columba’s, where I deal with curriculum as well as health and safety, school trips and overseeing our school Pipe Band.
Geography Intermediate, Higher and Advanced Higher today, too. My son thought the Int II paper was OK, but pushed for time at end. The Higher looked pretty good on 1st inspection, but I’ve not had time to digest that or the AH in detail. Will be interested to know what colleagues think…
Would like to recommend a couple of web sites devoted to developing “thinking” through Geography. The first is on the seminal work by David Leat who has devised a range of exercises intended to develop thinking skills within a geographical context. Click here for link to online exercises developed by teachers in Birmingham.
The second is a stimulating site produced by Dr Andrew Lee, Head of Geography at Westminster Under School. Set up in April 2007, its aim is to provide a source of accessible material to teachers, students and “the inner geographer in all of us.”
Click here for shortcut to Andrew’s site.
I have switched to edublog. Previous posts relating to Geography can still be seen at http://jimsgeogblog.blogspot.com/ Its main purpose is to broaden the coverage from Geography to reflect on a wide range of educational issues. Geography will still be a major feauture and I hope to onclude reference to leading edge thinking in geography, particularly in Scotland and the UK. But I want to look at other matters, too. The Curriculum for Excellence, the role of ICT, management and leadership issues in schools today. It will be interesting to see how the new SNP minority government take forward Scottish education.
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