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Slide 1: Geography Working Towards a Sustainable Future
Slide 2: “The entire history of automobiles, airplanes, antibiotics, oral contraceptives, nuclear energy, computers, plastics, satellites and xerography is encompassed by the span of a single human life.” - David Suzuki
Slide 3: The world in which we live is likely to change more in the next 50 years than it has ever done before. Geography explains why this is and helps to prepare you for these changes.
Slide 4: Daily Questions – Geographic Answers How is we best balance between public transit and automobile use? Whatdo the respond to the challenges of global warming? Where will new international markets emerge for Canadian exports? Where should we place of toxic waste? How can thewe dispose retail Afghanistan be rebuilt? should infrastructure of power centres? What is predict the incidence of urban crime? Can we the impact schools sports and others consolidated? Where should new of a newbe built facility? How areas of Canada problem of the Are municipal parks fairly distributed? homeless? Whatdo we address thehave the greatest potential for wind energy? What are we combat the spread restructuring? How can a political partyhospitalof its share Africa?vote in the next election? the impacts of increase AIDS in of the Adapted with Revisions and Additions from Ryerson University
Slide 5: What is geography? •• Geography encompassesis diverse andour home a Geographers distinguish themselves creating The study of geography the Earth asinbroad. It planet inbeyondhuman and physical complexity. holistic all its the planet in which countries extends view of the memorization ofhuman-Earth relationships are and capital cities. identified and explained. • Studying how humans interact with each other and the environment helps us understand how we shape the world and how our world shapes us. Adapted from Trent University Geography Department
Slide 6: What is geography? People everywhere need to know with asking Geography is not a collection of arcane the has much more to do about nature of and solving is the place in does questionstheir world itproblems than spatial information. Rather,and theirstudy ofitit. with rote memorization of isolated facts. aspects of human existence.
Slide 7: What is geography? Its subject matterintegrative surface and the Geography is an is Earth's discipline that brings processes that shape and human dimensions of together the physical it, the relationships between people study of people, places and the world in the and environments, and the connections between people and places. environments. (Geography For Life, 1994, 18)
Slide 8: Geographic Intelligence • PLACE – What are different places and people like? • SPACE – Why are certain things located where they are? • ENVIRONMENT – How do people and their environment interact? How are they interdependent and how do they influence each other? Adapted – Massachusetts Geographic Alliance
Slide 9: Geography – Leading the Charge • As climate changehear our students articulate their It seems that, as geographers, we are once again leading in • It is heartening to and water issues become mainstream the the community and topics and be able to take part in fact way. knowledge in such the media, we can be proud of the that Geography students have been learning about issues. meaningful debate about future outcomes of these and discussing these topics for some time now. Adapted from Geography Teachers Association of Victoria (Australia)
Slide 10: The Environment A Geographic Approach • We think geographically about consider the environment a Geography is concerned state the environment, but from • Human existence and the – we of our environment are a geographic approach. from both the physical and cultural/human/social blend of cultural /social and physical factors at work in a perspectives. particular place. Adapted – Massachusetts Geographic Alliance
Slide 11: Geography and the Environment • They are active in the study offirst to sound the Geographers were among the global alarm that human-induced changes to the warming/climate change, desertification, environment loss of biodiversity, groundwater deforestation,were beginning to threaten the balance pollution, flooding, and urban sprawl. of life itself. Adapted from Association of American Geographers
Slide 12: Geo-Green Natural & Human Systems Sustainability Climate Change Resource Management Stewardship & Citizenship
Slide 13: Geo-Skills Geography develops valuable the skills to support a variety of post-secondary pathways, future career choices and life’s adventures. Data Collectionmaking Decision & Manipulation Map, graph, chart, diagram & table analysis Teamwork &solving Problem Cooperation Understanding & application of technology Critical thinking Fieldwork Creative thinking Literacy Research & Analysis Numeracy Environmental Understanding Systems Thinking
Slide 14: Geo-Technology & Geomatics Geographic Information Systems (G.I.S.) Global Positioning System (G.P.S.) Remote Sensing – Earth Imaging Surveying & Cartography
Slide 15: Geo-Technology & Geomatics Geomatics is one of the fastest-growing technology sectors and Canada is a global leader. Utilizing geotechnologies, Canada is addressing challenges and opportunities related to areas such as: • the environment • land management and reform • economic development • urban planning • infrastructure management • natural resource monitoring • sustainable development • coastal zone management and mapping
Slide 16: Geo-Careers Urban Planning Economic Development Tourism & Recreation Management Geographic Information Systems Environmental Impact Assessment Cultural & Heritage Preservation Educational & Social Services forest estate technician/technologist adventure filmmaker real engineer technician geophysical meteorological forest management aerial photoanalyst seismologist geophysicist meteorologist forest officer aerial photographer surveyor technician/technologist globe maker mine surveyor forest research agricultureanalyst transit manager housing mineralogist forest technician/technologist anthropologist surveyor transportation management hydrographic mining engineer forester archaeologist services transportation hydrologist oceanographer geodeticagent/clerk astronomer technician travel surveyor hydrology paleontologist geographerplanner cartographer travel ranger land use park accommodations geographic information systems climatologisttourism travel and engineer land surveyor petroleum geologicplanner conservationarchitect urban engineer landscape geologist petroleum officer geologic technician/technologist demographer viticulturalist logging engineer petrologist geologist geographer economic water resource engineer marketing pilot/navigator geomagnetician environmentalist zoologist marine relations public engineer geomorphologist food technician/technologist marine geologist planner
Slide 17: Geography in Ontario’s Schools Geography is one of the 5 cores disciplines Environment is one of the 6 “fundamental concepts” identified in each these provincial policy documents (designated by the Ministry of Education) •Environmental themes are covered in over 500 provincial It is included in two curriculum policy documents: learning expectations within Geography from grades 1-12 Social Studies / History & Geography (grades 1-8) Canadian and World Studies (Grades 9-12) Grade 9 Geography is a compulsory course for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (O.S.S.D.)
Slide 18: Canadian and World Studies Geography Courses •Geography of Canada (Grade 9 Academic and Applied) •The Americas: Geographic Patterns & Issues (Grade 11, University/College) •Physical Geography: Patterns, Processes, & Interactions (Gr.11, University/College) •Travel and Tourism: A Regional Geographic Perspective (Grade 11, Open) •Geographics: The Geographer’s Toolkit (Grade 11, Workplace) •Canadian & World Issues: A Geographic Analysis (Grade 12, University) •World Geography: Human Patterns & Interactions (Grade 12, University) •The Environment & Resource Management (Grade 12, University/College) •The Environment & Resource Management (Grade 12, Workplace) •Geomatics: Geotechnologies in Action (Grade 12, University/College) •World Geography: Urban Patterns & Interactions (Grade 12, College)
Slide 19: Canadian and World Studies Geography Strands •Geography courses are organized by the following strands: •All •Geographic Foundations: Space and Systems five strands are essential to any understanding of environmental issues Interactions now and in the that face us •Human-Environment future! •Global Connections •Understanding and Managing Change •Methods of Geographic Inquiry and Communication
Slide 20: Canadian and World Studies Geography Overview As the world’s an integrative subject that brings interdependent, Geography is economies become increasingly a variety of as pressures on thesocial and physical, to the study of people, perspectives, both world’s resources mount, and as concerns about issuesenvironments around the world……… and places, and such as global warming, urbanization, population growth escalate, people need to become Understanding the processes that shape the earth and knowing geographically literate and be able to make informed judgements how life forms interact with the environment allow them to view about environmental and social issues. events from an ecological perspective……
Slide 21: O.A.G.E.E. We are O.A.G.E.E. – the Ontario Association for Geographic and Environmental Education. O.A.G.E.E. strives to be a strong geography subject association that is working to support geography teachers and students and maintain a strong geography presence in the Ontario curriculum.
Slide 22: Purpose of O.A.G.E.E. • To improve the teaching of geographic and environmental education in the Province of Ontario; • To promote the planning and development of a variety of geographic and environmental studies for all levels of the education system of Ontario; • To facilitate communication among its members and other organizations concerned with geographic and environmental education; • To create a better understanding of the nature and importance of geographic and environmental education; and, • In general, to strive for the betterment of education.
Slide 23: O.A.G.E.E. Stance on Environmental Education Geography brings several perspectives to help students Students this understanding of processes and interactions Through should have a significant environment education understand on sustainability predictions issuesdevelop with a focusenvironmental processes andand to Students students will be able to make and stewardship. including: should learn about their environment from actionsskilled practical and realistic and political support highly for implications •Economic, social solutions to who have specialized and qualified Geography teachers current and future problems. training and long-stand experience teaching environmental •Human-environmental interactions and connections and other complex geographic issues. •Systems and Interdependence •Local, regional and global scales
Slide 24: Membership Information • Membership follows the calendar year, January to December • Conference paid memberships begin in January of the following year • First Monograph of the membership arrives in the Spring
Slide 25: What does O.A.G.E.E. do for you? As a member of O.A.G.E.E. you are part of a large network of teachers across the province who together can have influence on geographic education in Ontario. You also gain access to membership benefits such as………….
Slide 26: The Monograph • 4 issues per year • Your #1 source for: Lesson Plans Activities Resources Geography news And So Much More • Written for geography teachers by geography teachers
Slide 27: www.oagee.org • • • • • Resources and P.D. links Conference Information Executive & Regional Councillor Contacts Membership Renewal & Information Provincial Highlights & Regional Newsletters
Slide 28: Posters • Careers • Topical Discussions • Geo-Green: Environment • International Polar Year • Lesson Activities
Slide 29: Conferences & Workshops • Fall Conference (October) • Spring Conference (April/May) • Summer Institutes A ll En m co p a s s in g g Geo 0 L2 AL E F lt o n GE Ha OA phy ra 03
Slide 30: Merchandise • • • • • T-shirts Mugs Hats Rulers Golf Shirts • • • • Stress balls Vests & Jackets Long Sleeve Shirts Resources
Slide 31: Regional Connections 14 Regions and Regional Councillors • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Southwestern Ontario South-Central Georgian Bay-Wellington Waterloo-Grand Erie Niagara-Hamilton Dufferin-Peel-Halton Metro Toronto – Catholic Metro Toronto – Public York-Durham Central Ontario Kingston-Rideau Ottawa-Carleton-Renfrew Northeastern Ontario Northwestern Ontario
Slide 32: Partnerships Ontario Geography Canadian Council for Consultants Association Geographic Education (OGCA) (CCGE) Royal Canadian Geographic Society (RCGS) Ministry of Education National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE) Ontario Subject Associations Ontario College of Teachers Geography Teachers Association of Victoria, Australia (GTAV) OSSTF, OECTA, ETFO OTF Curriculum Forum Council of Directors of Education Corporate Partnerships Government Agencies
Slide 33: Resources Best of the Monograph 2 OAGEE Geokit CD Think Literacy – Geographic Literacy (7-9) & (11-12) Building from Strength Promoting Geography Series A Framework for Geography Posters Coping with the New Curriculum Grade 9 Critical Thinking Challenges
Slide 34: Provincial Advocacy • Political Lobbying – maintain Geography as a core discipline and the integrity of Geography courses • Ministry Curriculum Revision and Writing Teams • Course Profile Writing Teams • Exemplar Development • OTF Summer Institutes • CCGE Summer Institutes
Slide 35: O.A.G.E.E. Our strength is in our membership. Thank you for investing in the future of geographic education in Ontario. Thank you for taking the time and making the commitment to lead, and striving to show others the strengths and benefits of Geography with your O.A.G.E.E. membership!
Slide 36: “Geography embraces every fact on earth: every aspect of the composition, occupation and history of the planet. It is the monitor of our abuse of our environment and our guide to its preservation. As such, Geography knows no intellectual boundaries. It deserves to sit at the centre of any liberal education…. Geography should be encouraged to seize the central fortress, rejecting both pure science and that grossly over-promoted intellectual exercise called mathematics. Geography should stand alone on the scientific pedestal, joined only with its one educational equal, the study of the human spirit in English language and literature. Geography is the queen of sciences, parent to chemistry, geology, physics and biology, parent also to history and economics.” - London Times
Slide 37: O.A.G.E.E. Stay Informed Remain Updated Explore Great Resources Become/Remain a Member www.oagee.org