David Rogers

. Although there are many resource website out there, it’s surprisingly difficult to find high quality resources.  I’ve been working with Discover the World for a while now, so it’s great to see a new collection of resources.  In collaboration with the Geographical Association , the Discover Geography website has been designed ‘to provide teachers with quality resources and teaching aids which can be used in the classroom or whilst visiting a Discover the World Education destination. ‘  There are a number of other features that will be added to the site in due course. I’ll be contributing to the website over the next few months, and there look like there will be some fresh destinations and case studies available, many of which will help departments adapt to the new curriculum.  

Just catching up on some resources that I put together a little while ago.  The Royal Geographical Society and The Goldsmiths’ Company provide opportunities to create resources linked to real university research. I worked with Christopher Knight, a Portsmouth University academic, to create lesson resources based on his ‘Living with typhoons: Disaster management in rural Taiwan.’  Although written with KS4 in mind, as an extension / alternative case study, the materials can be adapted for any age group. You can access the resources here .  Whilst there, consider applying for some of the funding available for teachers from the RGS.

  I’ve often used clips from British Pathe so it’s great to see their archive available on YouTube .   There’s a wealth of information in there for use in geography and other subjects.  I’ve had a very quick look through and have found these examples that I would consider using based on simple searches of the material .  I’d be interested to hear from you with other clips as this looks like a fantastic resource.      Your world in 9 minutes – would be great to get students to recreate this.  Flooding in Manchester features as does commando training.   Could use to explore what the definition of ‘your world’ would be today.  Would we include global products for example? I wonder which countries would feature.  This would fit in to the idea of the ‘geographical backpack’ that creates people’s sense of space and place. Growing up in Welsh mining communities, I was deeply affected by the Aberfan disaster, even t...

Each year, the Geographical Association lays on a public lecture that is free for all to attend.  The event sets the stage for the Annual Conference. This year geologist,  Professor Iain Stewart spoke.  His message, whilst entwined with hydraulic fracturing and linked to geography, can be applied across the educations world, especially for those active on twitter.  This is my own take on his talk. I found his rallying cry to break down the human / physical schizophrenic nature of geography and to just call it geography inspiring.  He suggested that the current distinction keeps the subject firmly in the 20th century and unable to deal with the challenges facing us in the 21st century. It’s an artificial distinction.  Many will disagree with this.  I don’t. I think that it makes a whole heap of sense.  It does need universities to lead the way though and engage with the design the school curriculum and assessment regime. Iain used the exampl...

#gaconf14 New curriculum lecture from David Rogers Not long back from the 2014 Annual Conference of the Geographical Association in Guildford.  It was, as always, a top event and I enjoyed being there after a two year self-imposed GA exile of sorts (although that’s probably a little bit too grand for being too busy).  This is the first post of a few based on the conference.  This one provides the resources and background for the lecture I gave on the Tuesday. Firstly, it was bloody scary when conference organiser, Lucy Oxley , informed me that I’d be in the main lecture theatre that saw Professor Iain Stewart speak to the Conference the day before and following the Presidential Keynote.  Still, I think I managed to keep it together, especially as I decided to change some of the emphasis that morning after listening to Iain’s  talk. I’ve written before about the latest curriculum reforms: Not the death of geography I’m a teacher, not a Gove b...

As part of my lecture on Tuesday at the Geographical Association’s Annual Conference , I’d appreciate some thoughts.  Please complete the two questions below.  Thank you muchly Loading...

A project that I’ve had a small contribution to is the Guardian's Live Better Challenge .  The site present a monthly challenge to readers which would make a great focus for a school eco-club or similar.  This month’s challenge is to reduce your domestic energy use by 10%.  There are plenty of resources and teacher aids on the site, including some resources that I contributed to. The site is going to run for seven months and there are plenty of useful and interesting articles such as this one that asks if there is too much modern technology in our lives. Happy exploring!

Updated with GA viewpoint. Recently, I’ve been having conversations about how some schools have created a culture where young people don’t take exercise books home and can arrive for an examination with nothing but their uniform as all equipment is provided.  This is bonkers and turning out young people who are not ready for the next stage.  Personally, I never give pens out and I believe that high expectations and robust routines within the first five minutes of lessons are essential.  Raising expectations is vital.  It’s like the argument that the target grades / levels are ‘too high’ opposed to having a belief and confidence that young people will meet the bar.  I experienced this myself where the department I led was accused of making up data, where all we did was teach differently.  The external examination result validated our approach. What has this got to do with the new Geography GCSE subject content released by the DfE this week?  Well...

It’s almost two years ago that I enjoyed the selection of poppadum condiments above whist at the 2012 Geographical Association's Annual Conference in Manchester.  It was a great event, which you can read about here .  At the time, I was leading Priory Geography and took the whole team to the event.  I place that much value.  Last year I was leading trips to Iceland so missed out on Derby but, seven years after the camping barn adventures, I’ll be heading to Guildford on the 11th April.  I like the GA Conference as it has the mix between the cutting edge, academic university stuff and the grass roots teacher-led stuff.  I always try to seek out new speakers as they often offer a different perspective. Here are a few things I’m looking forward to / involved with.  If you’re there, come and say hello! The full programme can be viewed here .  My session is a Tuesday lecture on the new curriculum and I plan to test the conference theme of ‘Crossing...