Geography teachers as Geography teachers as StrategicStrategic decision decision

makers:makers:

Clare BrooksClare Brooks

Institute of Education, University Institute of Education, University of Londonof London

Some issues …Some issues …

““Stories” told through narrativesStories” told through narratives Vocabulary to discuss geographyVocabulary to discuss geography Macro v MicroMacro v Micro

MacrosystemCulture in its broadest sense

MesosystemSchool CultureIncluding: ethos, community, policies, challenges, responses

Personal CultureIncluding: family, beliefs, class, gender, race, school experience, community, home environment

Geography Education CultureIncluding: interpretation of how geography and education are combined, own experience, department ethos, research, funding

Education CultureIncluding: paradigms, preferred approach, motivation, experience, practice, research, funding

Geography CultureIncluding: paradigms, degree experience, areas of interest, research, external agendas, research, funding

Teaching Practice

Microsetting

Cultural maps …Cultural maps …

School

Personal

Education

Geography Education

Geography

Teaching Practice

Themes to emerge …Themes to emerge …Being Being “good” at “good” at geography geography at school.at school.

People - People - FamilyFamilyGurusGurusStudentsStudents

TravelTravel

Geographical Geographical PerspectivePerspective

ContextContext

But each teacher is unique …But each teacher is unique …

Decision making influenced by their valuesDecision making influenced by their values Teachers act Teachers act strategicallystrategically Teachers use their geographical knowledge Teachers use their geographical knowledge

strategically and selectivelystrategically and selectively Making links with other geographical knowledgeMaking links with other geographical knowledge Appeal to students’ personal geographiesAppeal to students’ personal geographies Reflecting upon teachers’ own experienceReflecting upon teachers’ own experience

So, how do teachers use their So, how do teachers use their subject knowledge?subject knowledge?

StrategicallyStrategically In line with their values In line with their values

(about teaching (about teaching and about geography)and about geography)

SYNOPTIC CAPACITYSYNOPTIC CAPACITY