Knowledge Symposium at UCL

 A UCL Symposium on knowledge looks like it might be a useful CPD opportunity. It is on the 26th of March 2025

This symposium aims to investigate: 

a) how knowledge in education in different countries is shaped by contemporary ideas about the relationship between the past, present and future, and 

b) epistemic growth in university disciplines and school subjects. 

We will discuss whether schools can and should do without ideas of epistemic growth and progress in education and how we should think about and revise the relation between knowledge, education and progress in different socio-political and educational contexts.

This symposium will bring together scholars and teachers interested in exploring the relationships between knowledge, education and progress. 

As John Hopkin (a former President of the GA) succinctly explains:

‘The idea of education is an idea of progress, an investment in the future of our young people and community’ (2011, 116). 

The suggestion that humanity is lifted through studying a planned curriculum of learning different disciplines dates to Peter Rasmus (1515-1567). 

Rasmus built a case for learning from a designated series of books (a curriculum), not just individual scholars, thus opening the potential for the democratisation of education. In 21^st century Europe, societies struggle to articulate a positive vision of the future and a vision for education. Ideas of social, economic, moral and political progress are problematised and contested. 

The idea of progress has been tainted with its past association with colonialism, exploitation and domination and is thus criticized as a genuinely `Western ideal´, a secularized `hollow replica of a Christian conception of history´ or even as a kind of `Prozac for intellectuals´ (Gray, 2004). 

Some academics now envisage Education After Progress, while others think schools must engage with the meaning of social progress. 

Find out more here.

The cost is £40 (£10 for unwaged/students)

Place available on RGS Education Committee

There is availability to join me on the Royal Geographical Society's Education Committee, which I joined in June as Vice President Education.

We have an important job to do - particularly at the moment with a focus on the Government's Curriculum and Assessment review.

The process is explained on the link below if you'd like to put yourself forward.

You will need to fill in a few forms online and get them to the Director's office by the 20th of March 2025. Selected names will then be added to a ballot paper which will go out to all those eligible to vote. The results will be announced at the RGS's AGM in early June 2025. I shall be there. 

You will fill the role for a four year term.

Only Fellows of the Society may stand for positions on Council and only Fellows may propose candidates for election (this includes Associate Fellows).

If you wish to stand for election to Council, you should be able to demonstrate:

• a good working knowledge of the Society
• an understanding and support for its breadth of activities and audiences
• experience and seniority relevant to the position that you are standing for

Each position also requires a sound working knowledge, as appropriate, of geographical education, expeditions and fieldwork, research and higher education, geography in professional practice. In addition, Council has provided guidance to nominees and proposers on the skills, expertise and experience that it feels would be most helpful at the present time. It is not a requirement that nominees fill identified skills gaps but it is highly desirable.

For Education this is described as:

Practical expertise, skills and knowledge as an established geography teacher (with five or more years of classroom experience), head of geography or senior leader at secondary level (Councillor).   

In terms of time commitment, Council members must be available to read papers for, and attend, four Council meetings per year and at least two Committee meetings per year.

Go to this page for all the details.

Feel free to get in touch if you would like to know more details about what is involved in this role, and good luck if you are thinking of applying.

International Geography Training - new for 2025

A new venture, and one I can certainly get behind...

Two legends of international geography teaching, resource creation and training in the same virtual space: Richard Allaway and Matt Podbury have teamed up to offer some special support for teachers in international schools / teaching international qualifications.

Their new website and opportunity is now live.

They will start their new enterprise by offering three online workshops between now and May 2025, which can be booked individually or as an ‘all three bundle’.

Each workshop consists of two 90-minute sessions and then the opportunity to have a 30-minute one-on-one meeting with either Richard or Matt to focus on your specific topics of interest and questions.

The workshops will happen on Saturdays, so most of you will not need to find cover for your classes. They will run from 10h00 CET to 13h30 CET, so you have enough time for a lie-in and a lazy breakfast, and everything is finished in time for a late lunch.

The workshops focus on the training needs of international geography teachers, especially those teaching IB DP Geography and IGCSE Geography.

Head to the website to find out more.

Upcoming GA Gloucester Branch CPD - 'Digging Deeper'

I've just finalised the plans for a session for GCSE and 'A' Level teachers and students later this month as part of the programme of events offered by the GA Gloucester Branch.

It's an upate of a session I created for the GA Oxford Branch last year.

I explore some of the ways that teachers and students can research case studies they need to remember for exams to make them come to life a little more, and ensure they are a little more authentic, contemporary and relevant, as well as memorable for the exam when it comes to revising.

Why not sign up?

This will be one of my Worldly Wednesdays....

New resources on coastal erosion

 

Some new resources from Anthony at Internet Geography. These were filmed recently at Mappleton: a popular case study for coastal erosion and management.

New footage featuring coastal erosion and mass movement at Mappleton on the Holderness Coast: https://t.co/BZQQxyBOAi #geographyteacher

— internetgeography.net 🌍 (@InternetGeog) July 16, 2024

Some new YouTube footage is shared here. 

Subscribe to Internet Geography to explore more of what Anthony has produced.

New role... new blog

As you'll have perhaps seen from a post at the end of April, I'm going to be working as the Vice President: Education of the RGS from June. 

As with any major project that I get involved with, or new role, I've started a new blog. This will track my work over the coming years, and also publicise relevant RGS-IBG activity. 

When I started out on my GA Presidential journey,  I started a blog which now has over 850 posts on it, and includes a biography of every GA President to date as well as much more on the history of the Association and its activities.

No. 1 Kensington Gore is known as "the Home of Geography". 

I've taken that as the name for my new blog, as I'll be visiting more regularly than I have for a few years.

Lowther Lodge has been the home of the Royal Geographical Society for over 100 years. 

You can visit the new blog here. 

Please check back regularly over the months to come...

100 000 page views

 We are now up to 100 000 page views on the blog. Thanks for your interest.