David Rogers

Very excited to say that the Geography Collective's new book - Mission:Explore has arrived! Come and have a chat to me if you'd like to know more. It's essential reading for the young and young at heart :-)

A while ago now I read The Fourth Way . In it, I found a passage that I really identified with.  Sometimes, the focus is on technology and not learning, but a 21st Century school should also develop virtues such as compassion, courage, sacrifice, long-term commitment, service and perseverance. During our work facilitated by a 21st Century Learning Alliance Fellowship, we have been asking pupils what they’d like at school.  One, somewhat surprising, wish was that the new school combined technology and traditional methods.  These included outdoor learning opportunities, physical books and a library and arts space. It was clear from our findings (which asked the opinions of around 10% of the school’s population) that young people do not want technology for the sake of it.  They also want to be able to have a control over the technology that they do use.  The rationale for this was that often teachers use tools that do not stretch their thinking. This also li...

This time next week I should be packed ready for the Geographical Association’s Annual Conference in Derby.  I’m involved in a few sessions, one of which is the title of this post. From the conference programme : 17.20-18.10 - I want to break free! Expanding geography's influence. Workshop 22 - KS3-4 This session will explore ways in which geography can encourage informed participation outside of the classroom. A range of practical examples will be shared including: engaging with Building Schools of the Future and the built environment; developing creative approaches to encouraging climate change action; and citizenship through geography. The session could easily have been called ‘To infinity and beyond the classroom.’ Maybe see you there? Classroom photo from Flickr user johnmuk Buzz Lightyear photo from Flickr user Walt Jabsco

This is the fourth post covering some reflections on the recent Innovative Education Forum in Berlin last week. This post will talk centre around a school visit. Some of the best learning at the IEF took place outside of the formal sessions.  The school visit was very illuminating as it illustrated the fact that the problems that I face most days are not unique.  That fact is comforting and very very scary in equal measure. Comforting because I’m not alone. Very very scary as the message from events like IEF_2010 and the reality of school don’t seem to match up.  (This assumption is based upon lots of school visits in the UK) I’m going to talk about some of the aspects of the school I visited (which was very similar in terms of technology set up) and some possible lessons. 1. Blocking is not a UK problem – we need to move beyond this view of internet use and safety. 2. We are all interconnected.  This school had just completed a read-a-thon for...

This is the third in a series of post reflecting upon the International Education Forum in Berlin last week.  This time, I am going to reflect upon the opportunity to meet the best resource there: other teachers. I have been to similar events to the IEF and one feature stood out: a lack of teachers.  This wasn’t the case in Berlin and Microsoft and the organising team need to be applauded for that. When working with trainee and newly qualified teachers I always emphasise the observation of other teachers. I have also tried to encourage peer observation and team teaching (to varying degrees of success).  My team are encouraged to watch me use a bit of kit, lesson idea before they jump in, or I’ll give them a hand.  The point is that some areas of teaching have become fossilised.  This has been caused by two linked items. The first is the culture of staying within the classroom – teachers are often isolated for most of the day from other adults and school st...

This post follows on my reflections about #IEF_2010 .  It’s a post that illustrates the point that innovative teachers are not alone in the world, and far from mad!  Often, an innovative teacher will feel like a mad person in a room shouting at the rain.  Meeting other ‘mad people’ from around the world makes one feel less mad, especially when it comes from some of the speakers below.  But first a story… Google Sketchup is a tool that allows users to create 3D buildings and models. These can then be embedded in Google Earth.  I first learned about the programme via Noel Jenkins , but thought I couldn’t possibly use it with classes as I knew very little about it. Then  thought ‘What if?’ What if I took the risk.  So, I put Sketchup on a number of machines in school, and told pupils that it was there but had no clue how to use it. The result?  Some great work using the tool. I’ve also always preferred to dive straight into complicated topics, ...

MISSION:EXPLORE is on it's way. Next week in fact. We at the Geography Collective are very excited and are hoping that it will lead to lots of adventures in the big outside. We are even more excited as money for each book sold will mean that books can be given to children who can't afford their own. Check out this preview for more information :-)