Apologies for cross-posting
Readers may be interested in the ten guides which the Geography Discipline
Network has recently published on good practices in the learning, teaching
and assessment of geography in higher education.
"This is the most comprehensive series about the teaching of a discipline I
have ever encountered and provides a model for how academics can share both
theory and practice about the teaching of their subject. I have drawn on
geography examples in these materials in my work just as the geographers
have drawn on generic writing in their work. It is particularly valuable to
see how generic ideas are adapted and applied in specific contexts and how
this adaptation enriches and fills out the generic ideas. The publications
are clearly and attractively presented. I defy anyone not to find something
new and useful. I'd like to see other disciplines attempt a series of
publications like this."
Professor Graham Gibbs, Centre for Higher Education Practice, Open
University, UK
Guides
* Teaching and Learning Issues and Managing Educational Change in
Geography
* Lecturing in Geography
* Small-group Teaching in Geography
* Practicals and Laboratory Work in Geography
* Fieldwork and Dissertations in Geography
* Resource-based Learning in Geography
* Teaching and Learning Geography with Information and Communication
Technologies
* Transferable Skills and Work-based Learning in Geography
* Assessment in Geography
* Curriculum Design in Geography
The Guides should be of interest not only to geographers, but also to staff
in the other natural and social sciences. They should also be of particular
value to educational developers looking for discipline based case studies of
good practice. They are also of direct relevance to teachers of 16-19 year
old students. Every university and college library and educational
development collection should have a set!!
The attractively designed and produced Guides vary in length from 38 pp to
128 pp. They can be ordered individually (cost varies between UK£3.95 and
UK£8.95) or as a set (UK£54.00, plus p&p).
The Guides are supplemented by a Web-based resource database of good
practice which has been suggested as a model for the new UK Subject Centres
to emulate.
Further information about the Geography Discipline Network (GDN), the
resource database, a summary of the contents of all the Guides, and an order
form can be found at: http://www.chelt.ac.uk/gdn/
Orders should be sent to Dr Phil Gravestock, GDN Project Officer, Geography
and Environmental Management Unit, Cheltenham and Gloucester College of
Higher Education, Francis Close Hall, Swindon Road, Cheltenham GL50 4AZ, UK
([log in to unmask]).
Some reviews about the series:
"The 10 Geography Discipline Network Guides constitute a major development
in the teaching of geography in Higher Education. They were created jointly
by subject specialists and educational developers and should act as an
example to other disciplines, both in their content and in the collaborative
way that they were created."
Lewis Elton, Higher Education Research and Development Unit, University
College London
"One of the delights of reading ...the volumes is the sense that they convey
of the range of possibilities for doing something immediately, and with
barely any effort, to attempt to improve teaching and learning and of the
positive consequences which may follow. ...All of the volumes are highly
accessible, capable of being dipped into or read at a single (fairly short)
session. ...These are generous volumes, not in terms simply of the wealth
of material that they present - and there is a wealth here - but, much more
importantly, in the diverse ways in which they succeed ...in engaging
sympathetically with their readers. ...It is the quality above all,
perhaps, that distinguishes this excellent series: it inspires us to think
about what we are doing in new and positive ways.... Geography is a better
discipline for their presence: they make a difference by their encouragement
not only to do better but to do so in better - educational - ways."
Professor Roger Lee and colleagues, Department of Geography, Queen Mary and
Westfield College, UK
"At the pedagogical level, the Guides receive high marks because serious
review of their content will make for more effective classroom teachers...
The collection represents an impressive effort to team geographers and
educational developers in an effort to identify the instructional, resource,
research, technological, assessment and curricular design problems and
prospects that confront instructors and students of geography. Strategies
for implementing the ideas found in the publications is a major strength;
whether the analysis is about the methodology of lecturing, the process of
student assessment, group projects, or the challenges of field work, action
plans and case study testimonials are presented which are thoughtful,
thorough, and practical."
Gil Latz, Professor of Geography and International Studies, Portland State
University, Oregon, USA
"If there is one thing that this series does consistently well, it is to
urge lecturers to consider overtly the assumptions that underlie existing
practice, and to make clear to students the goals and intended outcomes of
curricula, courses, modules, and specific items of teaching... It will be a
poor reader who is not motivated to question some aspects of existing
practice, or who could not think of something new to try, by every one of
these guides, no matter where s/he is."
Professor Eric Pawson, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
Comments on relevance to School Educators:
"This series of Guides provides a thorough and stimulating overview of the
potential of teaching and learning in higher education. The Guides are well
written and attractively presented. They draw appropriately on theory and
broader educational ideas and are exemplified by plentiful practical case
studies. ... Many of the Guides focus on practical teaching and learning
strategies (eg in fieldwork, small group discussion, resource based
learning) which are of direct relevance to teachers of 16-19 year old
students, others draw out fresh ideas and examples of the contribution of
geography to eg key skills, work-based learning and the use of ICT - all
areas which schools are currently asked to address as much as higher
education. .... the Guides make valuable reading for the interested
geographer at all levels in the education system."
Eleanor Rawling, Department of Educational Studies, University of Oxford
Best wishes
Mick
________________________________________________
Professor Mick Healey
Director Geography Discipline Network
Geography and Environmental Management Research Unit
Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education
Francis Close Hall
Swindon Road
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire GL50 4AZ
UK
Tel: +44 (0)1242 543364 (532971 Office)
Fax: +44 (0)1242 543283
Email: [log in to unmask]
http://www.chelt.ac.uk/gdn
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