University of Southampton Fieldwork Course in July...

For the last few years, the Ordnance Survey has collaborated with the University of Southampton and other partners, including Goldsmiths Company and the Met Office to offer a week long course for teachers who are in mid-career and would welcome a refresher on fieldwork skills and other updates in inspiring locations.

This year's course is not quite the same as previous year's events, as there are fewer excursions, but this strengthens the local focus in the area around Southampton and the coast. There is a day spent at the Ordnance Survey.

It's important to register soon as this trip is:
a) very popular and
b) only £50... which is a deposit to secure your place... you get the money back at the end and all your expenses are paid for during the week-long course, and...
c) there are only 20 places

I might actually apply to go along myself this year, as I have broken up by the time the course starts.

Details below:

Based at the University of Southampton, this course provides teachers with an opportunity to learn how to plan and run high quality fieldwork experiences. The course provides hands-on experience using the latest technology for data collection and analysis in two different fieldwork settings, including practical training in analysing results using geographic information systems.
The University of Southampton's physical geographers are currently engaged in addressing such geographical questions using a variety of innovative and cutting-edge research techniques. These academics will share their expertise, experiences and innovation with school teachers through this course.
The course includes a day at Ordnance Survey where teachers will visit the remote sensing and cartographic departments and to gain an insight into the geographic data industry and career prospects within it.
The objective of the course is to increase teachers’ confidence so candidates are likely to be those who have little or no experience of leading fieldwork, but who are greatly interested in building their personal capacity to improve what their school presently offers to students.
Attending the course will provide geography school teachers with the skills and resources to appreciate leading-edge advances in the discipline, allowing them to pass on that knowledge, enthusiasm and expertise to a new generation of geographers in schools.

How to apply

Complete the application form and arrange for a countersignature by your school. Enclose with a covering letter that explains in no more than 500 words why you believe attending this course will be of particular benefit to your teaching career and a cheque for £50*.
*The £50 booking deposit will be refunded on completion of the course. Delegates must fund their travel costs to attend the course at Southampton. All tuition, accommodation, food and travel during the course will be provided free.

Application and Selection

Applications will be reviewed as and when they are submitted (until the deadline of 31st May 2015) relative to the selection criteria. Applicants will be informed within 2 weeks whether they have been successful in gaining a place on the course. The course is limited to 20 places so interested applicants are advised to discuss with their school as early as possible and put in an application.
Priority criteria for selection:
• Secondary school teacher - must be specialist geography teacher
• Priority to GCSE / A level teachers currently delivering to these year groups
• Candidates are likely to be those who have little or no experience of leading fieldwork
• ONE teacher from each school
• Must teach in GB school

Aims of the course

- To provide teachers with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the latest tools and techniques for data collection in the field, with its analysis and interpretation.
- To give teachers an insight into how the Ordnance Survey collect and enhance geographical data to underpin complex forecasting and decision-making.
- To ensure teachers return to school equipped with knowledge of new tools that can contribute to raising standards of geography teaching in their school.
- To engage with leading academics to inspire teachers to raise the aspirations of their A level geography students, and provide encouragement to those who are considering a BSc in geography at university.
- To provide an outstanding Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunity. This course provides 10 points towards the 35 annual points required for Chartered Geographers.

Programme for the course:

Monday 13th July 2015- Welcome from 1pm. Introduction to Geography at Southampton over lunch followed by fieldwork planning workshops.
Tuesday 14th July 2015- Forest fieldwork in the New Forest to include a river study, with follow up on GIS
Wednesday 15th July 2015 - Visit to Ordnance Survey
Remote sensing (aerial photography); Cartography; GI insight, update on resources for schools and introduction to GeoVation.
Thursday 16th July 2015 - Coastal Fieldwork at Hants/Dorset border, with GIS follow up
Friday 17th July 2015 – Optional visit to the National Oceanography Centre (NOCS)
Summary of course and farewell lunch. Depart from 1.30pm

This course is designed to be flexible. We recommend that you attend all of it, but we recognise that teachers may find it challenging to obtain permission for absence for the full week. Therefore we will accept candidates who can only attend Tuesday to Thursday inclusive. You will gain a great deal from informal evening discussions, but to make this family friendly, local teachers may choose to attend as day delegates.

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