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Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title Sense of Place & Sense of Space
Module Code SG222
School 79
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Joseph Usher
Semester 2: Joseph Usher
Autumn: Joseph Usher
Module TeachersJoseph Usher
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Repeat the module
Description

This module will provide students with enhanced expertise on teaching, learning and leading Geography, Environmental and Outdoor (GEO) Education with a specific focus on appreciating and developing children's Sense of Place and Sense of Space. Particular emphasis will be placed on the development of key mapping skills and spatial awareness (Sense of Space on Primary Geography Curriculum), and children's understanding of what places are like, the unique character of places, and how they are interrelated and connected to other places. Students will participate in a range of in-class activities and outdoor fieldwork in the school grounds and local area. Content is suited to both senior and junior class cohorts in primary schools. Students will engage with a range of literature pertaining to geographical skill development including practitioner-based book chapters and peer-reviewed research articles. They will begin to critically review practices in GEO Education with regard to their own experiences.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the geographical concept Sense of Space and various teaching approaches to develop this concept and skill through their teaching.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the geographical concept Sense of Place and various teaching approaches to develop this concept and skill through their teaching.
3. Critically engage in with GEO Ed and broader educational theories, demonstrating an understanding of children’s learning and capabilities in GEO Education;
4. Demonstrate confident pedagogical and content knowledge to plan a series of appropriate learning activities and associated resources conducive to developing children’s Sense of Place and Sense of Space and integrating this with other core aspects of the Primary Geography Curriculum
5. Demonstrate competency in using digital technology (particularly free Google Earth and OSI GIS software programmes) to develop resources and tools for teaching children and also for enhancing children’s own mapping skills and spatial awareness and their ability to demonstrate Sense of Place spatially.
6. Demonstrate a secure knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Primary School Curriculum pertaining to skills and concepts as well as broad learning objectives in areas related to GEO Education;



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Total Workload: 0

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Content
The course will develop students’ knowledge and understanding of core skills and concepts of the Primary Geography Curriculum –focusing on Sense of Place and Sense of Space and children’s spatial awareness and mapping skills. Students will be afforded opportunities to enhance their own pedagogical content knowledge pertaining to the teaching of primary geography across all class cohorts. The course will involve students: Engaging in fieldwork, reviewing the issues and opportunities in Geography, Environmental and Outdoor (GEO) Education and other curricular areas, through the campus/school grounds, the local area, and further afield; Developing learning activities and resources with a particular emphasis on spatial learning for all children, using a collegial approach with other students; Participating in various in-class activities modelling best practice in enquiry-based learning and the interlinking of key Primary Geography skills, concepts and learning aims with Sense Place and Sense of Space. Critically reviewing practices in relation to their own experiences and research literature and readings.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentPart A (80%): Students must select 8 Seminars to reflect on over the course of the Semester. Guiding questions for reflection are provided. Reflections must show evidence of engagement with the seminars and with the associated literature (2 readings assigned to each seminar –see Loop). Reflections must demonstrate knowledge of the curriculum and how the seminar content/concepts links to the Primary Geography Curriculum and/or the Teacher Guidelines (see Loop). Please note: students cannot reflect on a seminar that they have not attended. Part B (20%): Attendance and participation. Students will be allocated 5% per seminar for the 4 seminars not selected for reflection.100%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Simon Catling,Tessa Willy: 2018, Understanding and Teaching Primary Geography, SAGE Publications Limited, 9781526408396
  • Anne M. Dolan: 2019, Teaching Powerful Primary Geography, Routledge, 9781138226517
  • Susan Pike: 2015, Learning Primary Geography, Routledge is, 9781138922976
Other Resources

None
Programme or List of Programmes
BEDBachelor of Education
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