This free course, School geography: Exploring a definition, focuses on how geography is currently being taught and understood. While studying it you will read about the significance of geography as a subject, looking at differing views as to exactly which disciplines make up geography. The course also includes a lesson plan and a look at definitions of geography as a medium of education.
Course learning outcomes
After studying this course, you should be able to:
open up and 'map' geography and the ways the subject is understood (and sometimes misunderstood)
examine ways in which the subject is under pressure – especially with regard to the 'chasm' that is said to exist between university and school geography
establish reasons why the subject is important in relation to topical debates about sustainable development and citizenship
evaluate the power of the subject via a practical lesson idea
At its most basic level of being a question about the relevance of Geography in todays schools it fails to provide a clear conclusion. It does highlight the fact that Geography is not seen by many as only a series of facts but an introduction to many other areas of social importance; political, environmental etc. Given the general level of attitude towards learning by the majority of KS3 students today I would personally say "stick to the facts" for basic Geography lessons and then only introduce the more sophisticated concepts at KS4 in an Environmental Studies GCSE. This course helped me clarify those thoughts.