Lovely flying visit to Edinburgh for the 2008 SAGT.
Keynote Professor Iain Stewart
Interesting perspective on the science of hazard management. Prof Stewart argued that physical processes can not be viewed separately from social settings and management. The main trust focused on the fact that people still suffer from natural hazards even though the events themselves are well known to us. For example, we know where, when, why certain natural hazards occur - so why do some groups of people continue to live in these zones?
On reflection it seems that the keynote was calling for physical and human geographers to unite and to stop working in isolation. However, it was a little disappointing that he stopped short of highlighting how important geographers are to reaching full understanding of such events.
In terms of impacting on my department we will certainly be using some of the case studies. There is a great geographical mystery to unravel regarding Hurricane Katrina and pay day.
Seminar Dan Raven-Ellison Urban Earth
Dan's seminar was very refreshing. Many of the conferences and CPD events that I attend focus on HOW we should be teaching instead of the WHAT and WHY.
Lots of thought provoking thoughts and images. In terms of Urban Earth I shall be joining Dan in Bristol next month and will also be walking across Portsmouth and walking Portsmouth's ecological footprint so that the footage can be used in the classroom.
For example, when watching Dan's Mexico City video I realised that it could be used in a number of ways. For example:
Dan can be controversial however I welcome the way in which he challenges us to think in different ways. His stimulus material is always engaging - from Banksy to Duncan Fuller and mywalks. I look forward to the next opportunity that I have to work with Dan.
Ollie Bray's Seminar on Google Earth
Some great practical and simple ideas for using Google Earth in the classroom. Ideas that I will be acting upon include:
Key note - Mark Beaumont
An inspiring tour of the world through the eyes of a cyclist. I wish Mark all the best for his next challenge!
All in all a great use of my time! Also enjoyed chatting to colleagues about the state of geography education.
Keynote Professor Iain Stewart
Interesting perspective on the science of hazard management. Prof Stewart argued that physical processes can not be viewed separately from social settings and management. The main trust focused on the fact that people still suffer from natural hazards even though the events themselves are well known to us. For example, we know where, when, why certain natural hazards occur - so why do some groups of people continue to live in these zones?
On reflection it seems that the keynote was calling for physical and human geographers to unite and to stop working in isolation. However, it was a little disappointing that he stopped short of highlighting how important geographers are to reaching full understanding of such events.
In terms of impacting on my department we will certainly be using some of the case studies. There is a great geographical mystery to unravel regarding Hurricane Katrina and pay day.
Seminar Dan Raven-Ellison Urban Earth
Dan's seminar was very refreshing. Many of the conferences and CPD events that I attend focus on HOW we should be teaching instead of the WHAT and WHY.
Lots of thought provoking thoughts and images. In terms of Urban Earth I shall be joining Dan in Bristol next month and will also be walking across Portsmouth and walking Portsmouth's ecological footprint so that the footage can be used in the classroom.
For example, when watching Dan's Mexico City video I realised that it could be used in a number of ways. For example:
- Dispelling the myth of urban land use models - while watching the video it struck me how uniform and similar the 8 minutes were. Mexico city just looked very ordinary when the lens isn't focussed on the mega rich and the mega poor.
- Linked to Google Earth the project would allow pupils to gain a great sense of place.
Dan can be controversial however I welcome the way in which he challenges us to think in different ways. His stimulus material is always engaging - from Banksy to Duncan Fuller and mywalks. I look forward to the next opportunity that I have to work with Dan.
Ollie Bray's Seminar on Google Earth
Some great practical and simple ideas for using Google Earth in the classroom. Ideas that I will be acting upon include:
- Using the smoke signals mash up to show learning objectives. Will use this for th Year 7 Stonehenge work after half term
- Will create online tutorials for using Google Earth at home for pupils and set homework via the Priory Blogs
- Write the use of GE into the Year 9 SoW 'Am I an eco saint or an eco sinner'. Especially using the ruler tool for calculating food miles.
- Use the weather, Wikipedia and photo features for starters and plenaries
Key note - Mark Beaumont
An inspiring tour of the world through the eyes of a cyclist. I wish Mark all the best for his next challenge!
All in all a great use of my time! Also enjoyed chatting to colleagues about the state of geography education.
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