Ten thousand up

on

Well, this is the 10 000th post on this blog.

Thanks for all those who have read the blog over the years and for the kind comments on how you have used it.

Here's a few from the many that I received in the last week or so.

Brendan Conway

Brendan is a fellow participant in the GI Pedagogy project. He e-mailed to say: 

How I use the blog:

It's an excellent place to find out about new ideas or resources in geographical thinking and pedagogy, which have undoubtedly informed and improved my practice over the last few years.

I also enjoy reading (and sometimes contributing to) the retrospective pieces Alan produces such as All the (GA) Presidents: Men (and Women) because they provide fascinating windows back in time that help us to find a deeper understanding of the heritage of geography and geographical education. There is always a refreshing effort to move well beyond a functional perspective in order to paint holistic pictures of the characters involved. We can thereby gain an enriched appreciation of the context​ and constraints on thought and practice in the past. In turn this offers insight, ideas and sometimes solace for the management of current challenges.

Living Geography generously publicises events such as the Surrey Geography Network Meetings and shares resources I've created including several GIS story maps, especially those which demonstrate innovative topics or techniques e.g.
Sgt. Pepper's Places - A geographical perspective on The Beatles in 1967​​
World volcanoes - Where is Mount St Helens?
Alphabet Places - London

How it is helpful:


I would suggest that Living Geography works in a similar way to the BBC at it's best, providing a wide range of content and pointers to new and interesting ideas. It's often been the first place we hear about something that goes on to have profound impacts on what we teach and how we teach. 

For example, the consultation about the draft geography curriculum in September 2011 or the Erasmus+ GI-Learner Project which inspired and led to my own involvement in the current GI-Pedagogy Project.

Living Geography and Alan's role at the helm might be compared to that of the legendary BBC DJ John Peel, who for generations kept finding new sounds and musical genres to share with his listeners. The smörgåsbord offerings could be honey or marmite, but as Peel often explained:

"We're not here to give people what they want but what they didn't know they wanted."

In the same way, Alan is a frontiersman for all of us, constantly scouting out or navigating the boundaries between settled and unsettled territory. 


I'll take that :)

Matt

Kate Stockings

Thanks for the ideas, the resources, the inspiration, the book recommendations, the quotes, the opportunities, the news events, but most importantly THE GEOGRAPHY. 

Better crack on with the next 10 000 posts...

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