Everyday Geographies Alan Parkinson Secondary Curriculum Development Leader Geographical Association

Put your best geography head on... Image by disco~stu (Flickr)

Favela image and melting man image removed ... Contact me if required via e-mail on pens...

“ ..it is not enough just to apply new technologies to existing processes—for maximum effect you have to apply them in new and imaginative ways” The Economist, September 2009

Calvin: You can't just turn on creativity like a tap. You have to be in the right mood. Hobbes: What mood is that? Calvin: Last-minute panic

What is Creativity ? • Creativity involves thinking or behaving imaginatively ; • This imaginative activity is purposeful : that is, it is directed to achieving an objective; • These processes must generate something original ; (this is explained as being something new to the learner – a new discovery, a new way of thinking to them) • The outcome must be of value in relation to the objective DfES response to Roberts Report (2006) and based on NACCCE All our Futures and work by QCA

On a day-to-day basis, young people participate in their own ‘lived’ or ‘everyday’ geographies . Geography in school can draw from these experiences, and help young people understand them, connecting them to the wider world of people.

“ Have I got Geography for you...” 10 ideas for using ‘everyday’ newspapers Alan Parkinson Secondary Curriculum Development Leader Geographical Association

What’s the first thing that the majority of 12-24 year olds do when they get home? Turn on their computer...

Is it worth bothering to recycle ? Is buying bottled water immoral ? Should we all be vegetarian ? Why would anyone want to go on holiday outside the UK ? Should we boycott supermarkets ? Are we really “4 meals from anarchy” ? Other enquiries ?

http://www.shillpages.com/movies/index2.shtml

Weblinks http://bit.ly/web2 - Becta Web2.0 Research Report http://geodonn.blogspot.com – Kenny O Donnell’s blog http://bubbl.us – free online mind mapping tool

Credits Ham Sandwich – Jack Davison (GA member) Alec Couros – Networked teacher (Creative Commons) Hugh Aldersey-Williams and Simon Briscoe for the Sceptics Toolkit