Preparing a GeoCapable student for the 21st century: Interpreting the Geography 2235 and Combined Humanities 2204 syllabi

"Preparing a GeoCapable student for the 21st century: Interpreting the Geography 2235 and Combined Humanities 2204 syllabi" is a 12hr seminar which will will introduce the capabilities approach to teacher preparation and curriculum making in geography. Participants will review the findings of collaborative research between the Association of American Geographers (AAG), theInstitute of Education in London and the University of Helsinki and learn how to apply the capabilities approach for understanding the new Geography 2235 syllabus and the Geography paper from the Social Studies 2204 syllabus, which aim to help students ask geographical questions, develop geographical understanding, and make informed judgments and sound decisions through the analysis, synthesis and evaluation of geographical information. In this context, participants will consider the potential of geography education in advancing the development of human “geo-capabilities” such as:

•Promoting individual autonomy and freedom, and the ability to use one’s imagination and to be able to think and reason;

•Identifying and exercising one’s choices in how to live based on worthwhile distinctions with regard to citizenship and sustainability;

•Understanding one’s potential as a creative and productive citizen in the context of the global economy and culture.

This workshop will first analyze the place of GeoCapabilities in the syllabus documents and then draw on the examples from the studies conducted in the USA, UK and Finland to uncover how best these GeoCapabilities can be taught. The course will also be designed with professional dialogues and hand-on activities in mind to enable the participant to take away practical resolutions to their interpretation of the new syllabi.

This course is conducted by Dr. Michael Solem and is opened to all geography teachers.

The course fee is S$129.40 for MOE-registered teachers and S$771.40 for non-MOE registered teachers. The course fee is inclusive of GST and $1 copyright fee.

Please refer to http://www.nie.edu.sg/gpl/pd for more information and register via the online form below.

Upon confirmation, payment can be made by the following:

GIRO/IFAAS
NIE will invoice the respective schools, and they will proceed to make payment through GIRO or IFAAS. The amount payable should be credited into the NIE bank account, number 518-041272-001.

Cheque
The cheque should be made payable to “National Institute of Education” and participant(s)’ name and course(s) clearly indicated on the reverse of the cheque.

Please mail to:
Office of Graduate Studies and Professional Learning
National Institute of Education
1 Nanyang Walk, S(637616)
Attn: Stanley Chee

After course enrolment, cancellations/withdrawals are not allowed. However, a replacement may be sent to attend the same course.

The closing date for application is 25 October 2013.