David Rogers

Have just been given this video by the S.O.N . team. This will be shown by the team at the launch of the 2007/08 challenge this afternoon. Also have been interviewed by the Portsmouth News and have had to contact the BBC South Today. Fame comes to some so young! I've also got to post later about the Coke programme last night. The programme had developed a few more thoughts about what I call 'evangelical geography.' This is what I consider to be the practice by which teachers give their classes the view they should have. I think that it's vital that we give a balanced account of issues and allow pupils to make their own minds up. Who's to say that my view is the right one to have? I know that some colleagues have the view that it is our job to guide students into making the 'correct' choice - but who says what this should be? If geography is to meet the new NC (where we need to be identifying bias in sources) and be seen as an objective and rigorous subject I...

Thanks for all of the feedback via Surveymonkey so far - I really do value your feedback! This is the altered presentation that was actually given. The main changes are the 'Pause for thought' sections between each lesson. | View | Upload your own

| View | Upload your own Hope that you were able to gain something from the presentation today. I have uploaded the PowerPoint for download and editing here . The motion clips won't work as they are seperate files, but they can be found either at Geography at the Movies or please email me and I'll arrange to add them. I would really appreciate any feedback you have about the presentation. There is a very quick and simple survey here . Lastly remember to share ideas and stay in touch - noone should be re-inventing the wheel especially with the major changes to KS3 and 4 coming soon. Also, it can sometimes be good to recieve support from outside of your schools and departments.

I can't believe it's the 100th post! I'm back at work with a bang this week, but the memories of last week will stay. I've chosen two images that I think sum up the visit. We only saw the 'best of the bad' in Goa, however it was heartbreaking enough. Having taught about LEDCs and poverty for 4 and a but years I thought I was prepared, but I was very wrong. I'm very proud of the 5 boys that I took to India, and I know that what they have experienced will change the way in which they think. To quote one of them 'It's going to feel really weird when I go to Tesco's next.' The final few days were spent visiting various outreach projects. I have huge admiration for the missionaries there. Very inspiring. the images I have chosen all include people. Although the landscapes were incredible it is the human story that I found so compelling. My life was certainly put into perspective! Teaching Shallom House style - making Christmas Cards during an aft...

First stop today was the Mapusa market to but provisions and presents for the visits. The boys were expected to used their own money and had to haggle for good prices. The provisions market was bonkers! Fresh spices available... Buying the rice after a hard haggle. 25kg of rice for £3. The river outside the market... Old peoples home. One of the students coming out of a slum dwelling Setting up some shots of the children at the village. Our visit brought alot of joy to the children. Also it was amaing how proud people were of their homes, often wanting their photograph taken of them inside their homes. Giving out sweets and rice to the villagers Haggling at Anjuna market - big flea market on the beach Showing off purchases. Some sellers are very persistant! This drum seller followed us for 15 mins...... Did he get a sale?

Day five….. Some incredible sights today. We got to see that not everyone in Goa lives in poverty and also visited a Spice Plantation. Is a banana a Tree, Shrub or Grass? What is the second most expensive spice? Then off to Palolem beach for some bartering, and the sunset. Tomorrow we are going to a number of villages to carry out some outreach work. The team are getting to grips with being here now. I’ve selected some photos that sum up today. Some of the shops near the beach. Getting to grips with haggling Indian driving.....

We headed to the orphanages today. The money that the team raised will go to help the work at some of these. I’ve just chosen a few images that I think sum up the day. It will be some time before I have had time to really get to grips with the feelings that the day has unleashed. One of the missionaries with the youngest orphan. The children at the first orphanage. This room serves as the classroom, sleeping area, dining area and prayer room Some of the children during the first visit Kitchen inside a slum dwelling. 8 People in two rooms that would all fit inside my classroom. I noticed how clean the inside of the dwelling was despite the surroundings and materials used in construction. Street scene from a Muslim slum on the outskirts of the Goan capital The bathroom for two dwellings in the above slum area. Serves 12 people In all the areas that we visited huge models were being made in preparation for the Diwali festival Our visit caused quite a stir in some areas. The main entra...

Well, Day 3 already! Just time to relax and unwind from the flight like many holiday makers here at the hotel. However, tomorrow sees the start of 3 days of seeing the side of Goa that most tourists don't see. Are the cracks starting to appear in paradise? I am wondering how the boys will react to the sights, and I am interested to see how westerners can help. It was interesting talking to one of the missionaries stationed here that part of the problem is caused by western toursits over tipping. For example, 700 Rupees may only be around £10 for us, but it's a weeks wages for a waiter that may work 12-24 hours a day..... This photo shows the whole party. I'm sure that the Health and Safety Exec and my EVC would be pleased to see that we are operating at a pupil ratio of 1 adult for every 0.83 students ;-)

Well what a day! After leaving Gatwick last night at 6:10pm we finally arrive at Dabolim airport at around 10:00am here. We are 5 and a half hours ahead of the UK. I'm just writing this short post before hitting the hay as I think I've been up for about 6 days! We couldn't get any shots of us arriving as the airport is Naval property. However, after emerging from Customs we were met by a maelstrom of people: money changers, baggage carriers, taxi drivers! Luckily transport had been arrange before our arrival and we were soon in three air conditioned minivans heading to our hotel complex. We were met at the airport by two missionaries that will be organising our time here. The team were blessed with flower garlands at the airport by them and again at the hotel by the hotel staff (this explains the red dots (not so easy to remove!)) It was then time to get our bearings and try using the equipment lent to the team. They are making a short documentary of their visit that will b...