Module Specifications
Academic Year 2025 - 2026
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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; | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Indicative Reading List Books:
Articles:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Other Resources None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||