Two outstanding resources from AGTA
Geography Literacy Unlocked
Geography Literacy Unlocked has been written for secondary geography students seeking to improve their literacy skills. It includes a focus on written, visual and oral literacy.
Geography Literacy Unlocked is published by the Australian Geography Teachers Association and written by Dr Grant Kleeman. One of Australia’s leading geography educators.
- An engaging, easy-to-navigate design
- A student-friendly approach featuring step-by-step explanations and annotated exemplars
- A focus on the basics of effective written communication – spelling, punctuation, tense and the use of connectives
- Descriptions of the principal text types used in geography, supported by annotated examples
- Guidance for writers in quoting, paraphrasing, summarising and referencing the work of others
- A focus on the responsible use of social media
- A comprehensive coverage of the principal forms of visual and oral texts students encounter in geography
- Templates or scaffolds to support the interpretative skills students are expected to demonstrate.
Special 'End of Year' textbook offer: 20% discount on class sets of Geography Skills Unlocked
Geography Skills Unlocked is a skills book for Australian secondary schools.
- Contents aligned to the inquiry and skills-based requirements of Australian Curriculum: Geography
- An engaging, easy to navigate design
- A student friendly approach with step-by-step explanations, descriptions and worked examples
- A focus on emerging technologies used to gather, analyse and present geographical data
- GeoSkills and GeoInquiry activities that scaffold student learning
- A wealth of stimulus material including a diverse range of maps, graphs, aerial photographs, satellite images, diagrams and photographs
- Examples drawn from each Australian state and territory with additional international material
- Key terms explained in embedded glossary boxes
Geography Skills Unlocked is published by the Australian Geography Teachers Association and written by a team of experienced Geography teachers.
Geographer awarded Order of Australia (AM) in Queen's Birthday Day Honours
Associate Professor Alaric Maude has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2017 Queen's Birthday honours. The AGTA Board congratulates Alaric on receiving this award which recognises his significant service to education in the field of Geography as an academic, researcher, author, and mentor. Alaric made a notable contribution to the development of the Australian Curriculum: Geography as a Lead Writer and Writing Coach. He has authored an impressive list of peer reviewed papers and numerous books as well as having provided presentations at national and State Geography conferences.
Latest issue of AGTA's Geographia
The October 2017 issue of AGTA's newsletter Geographia is now available. Contents include
- AGTA Membership
- AGTA Conference 2017
- AGTA Conference 2019
- Geography Skills Unlocked Textbook
- The GeoSix and the Bushfire Story
- New resources for teachers: Hunger in a world of plenty
- Affiliate Contribution
- Around the affiliates
Latest issue of Geographical Education
The contents of Geographical Education Volume 29, 2016 include
- Chair of Director’s Annual Report from Dr Grant Kleeman
- Field ‘Work’ Vs ‘Feel’ Trip: Approaches to Out-of-Class Experiences in Geography Education by Dr Lou Preston
- Landscapes Both Invite and Defy Definition by Nick Hutchinson
- Investigating The Extent to Which Student-Led Inquiry is Supported By Fieldwork Booklet Design by Aaron Bermingham
- A Case Study of Progressing Geography Fieldwork Skills Over Years 7–10 by Julian Woolhouse
- Book reviews
Exploring 21st Century Geography DVD
An outstanding collection of teaching resources including spatial technologies/GIS units. The DVD contains:
- articles and resources on 21st century Geography
- GIS skills development, GIS in Physical Geography and Historical GIS books – course processes and activities with geographical data
- 21st Century Internet sites
- technology in the geography classroom articles, internet sites and resources
- inquiry project design and work samples.
The GeogSpace website developed by AGTA and Education Services Australia (ESA) is now live. AGTA thanks all members of the writing and development teams for their outstanding contributions to this resource which will support the teaching of the Australian Curriculum: Geography. AGTA will be running special professional learning programs to support teachers in their use of this wonderful new resource. Further information about these programs can be obtained from AGTA Chair Malcolm McInerney.
AGTA 2017 Conference
The AGTA 2017 conference was held from 9-12 January 2017 at the University of Melbourne in Melbourne.
>> Conference presentations: Support materials from keynote speakers, workshop presenters and field trip leaders are available for download.
News from the Institute of Australian Geographers (IAG)
Members of ATGA will find much of interest in the latest IAG Newsletter including reports from the IAG conference held in Melbourne, news from the universities and the field as well as recent publications by IAG members.
The 2015 AGTA Roadshow
Interpreting and implementing the Foundation to Year 10 Australian Curriculum: Geography / New NSW K–10 Geography Syllabus for ACT and NSW teachers professional learning days were held during November 2015. The speakers' presentations can be accessed below.
- Geographical thinking with the Australian Curriculum: Geography (17.63MB PDF) presented by Malcolm McInerney
- Inquiry-based learning in geography (45.1MB PDF) presented by Dr Grant Kleeman
- Exciting your students in geography (40.4MB PDF) presented by John Butler OAM
- What is the best way of teaching geography at each year level? (17.29MB PDF) presented by John Butler OAM
- Literacy in geography (5.76MB PDF) presented by John Butler OAM
- How can fieldwork bring Geography to life? (3.15MB PDF) presented by Susan Caldis
Subscribe to the AGTA mailing list
AGTA newsletters keep you informed of forthcoming conferences, professional learning activities, curriculum developments and new geography teaching resources. You have the option to opt-out at any time.
Being a Citizen
A new innovative product to help teachers provide opportunities for students to explore the Australian Curriculum: Civics and Citizenship.
Content of the 'Being a citizen' resource:
- Links to civics and citizenship teaching materials.
- Political mapping classroom activities.
- Social Issues worksheets and processes.
- GIS and political mapping activities
- Links to curriculum documents and teaching materials on civics and citizenship.
- Professional reading links on civics and citizenship education.
Australian orders: $80.00 postage & GST inc.
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Contents of the latest edition of the Thinking Geographically resource include:
- Geographical thinking resources, exercises and articles
- Over 150 Thinkpieces on geography (articles and resources on geographical education in schools)
- Curriculum planning and assessment processes and templates
- 100's of direct links to Internet sites to support geographical thinking and the teaching of geography
- Links to Australian Curriculum: Geography trial projects
- Presentations to support professional learning on the Australian Curriculum: Geography.
Australian orders: $80.00 postage & GST inc.
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Putting together the national jigsaw for geography
AGTA has been actively involved in the development of
- the Australian Curriculum: Geography through the work of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA)
- GeogSpace online resources with Education Services Australia (ESA) to support the implementation of the new geography curriculum.
AGTA considers that both of these developments are critical for the future growth of geography in our schools and certainly warrants the energy and financial commitment AGTA has made to the process. The curriculum has reached the final stages of writing, consultation and validation and is due for release in 2013. Whilst this work has created an increased workload and investment from AGTA and its officers we continue to put together the 'National Geography Jigsaw' to promote geographical education in Australia.
The world of geography in Australian schools continues to be a dynamic and exciting one for teachers and students. AGTA's capacity to deliver continues to be tested by the challenges of promoting the 'brand' of geography in the new National Education Agenda and putting together the jigsaw for the implementation of a National Curriculum for Geography. AGTA continues to meet these challenges with confidence and continues to be seen by others in the education community as an association of high standards and professionalism. Such a reputation is only possible through the support and hard work of all Directors on the AGTA Board and teacher members of affiliates.
Evidence for learning and feedback resources
Effective feedback practice is shown to increase student progress by as much as an extra eight months over a year. AITSL in partnership with Evidence for Learning have developed new materials to support teachers and school leaders to enhance feedback practices with students in their context.
The resources draw upon global evidence and research-based approaches, including from AITSL’s own Board Chair and world-renowned education researcher, Professor John Hattie. The suite of materials is free to access from the AITSL website and includes the following:
- A spotlight research summary – Reframing feedback to improve teaching and learning – to describe the underpinning research on effective feedback.
- Written and video case studies that profile effective implementation of feedback within Australian schools.
- Implementation resources, such as a readiness check, planning overview and an introductory presentation, to help schools introduce an effective feedback strategy.
Mapping out the world
"We need to give young people the opportunity to form images of the world, of the interactions between people and places that are accurate, realistic and empowering. The next generation will make their own world. We need to give them the power to do it well. Having a substantial and really engaging geography experience as part of schooling is absolutely essential if this is going to happen."
CARE’s Global Poverty: Teacher’s Toolkit
CARE Australia has developed a website which provides teachers with resources on a range of issues related to poverty and inequality. Topics include global poverty, education, health, women's empowerment, water and hygiene, food and nutrition, climate change and responding to emergencies.
Each topic includes teaching tools such as fast facts, videos, and stories designed to spark curiosity and enhance classroom discussion.