Posts

Showing posts from November, 2008
Image
Grid References Just responding to post on SLN about Grid References, and remembered my WHERE WOLF , that sits in my wallet. I love the tagline: "Get one, or get lost." Via that, came across this video comparing map scales and how to set a map...
This is a topic which many of the new 'AS' specs. Every Monday when I drive into Sheffield along the Parkway, I see the familiar bulk of Hyde Park and Park Hill flats on the high ground behind the railway station. I've driven past them hundreds, maybe thousands, of times. Urban Splash : a company that specialises in rebranding and redesign has bought the flats and has released this video. Some interesting comments.
Image
Christmas Ideas Yeterday at the Suffolk conference, talked about the use of CHRISTMAS as a context for some geography work. In terms of I recognise that not all faiths are represented in a unit like this: "winterval" anyone ? Mark Cowan has kindly made available another one of his poems. Christmas View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: poem christmas ) Looking back over previous work, there are some links on my GEOGRAPHYPAGES website, including an old BLOG POST . I also had quite a Christmas theme to my PEOPLE AS CONSUMERS unit on my PILOT GCSE blog: here are all the POSTS LABELLED CHRISTMAS. What else is there ? Emma Johns produced some work on using the huge AMAZON distribution warehouse near Milton Keynes as a context. Location of these warehouses is crucial. Good use of GIS as well in terms of routing of lorries for deliveries, and co-ordination of distribution network. I pass the Wilkinsons and There's a big John Lewis warehouse on the way up
Image
Took this image earlier this year. Who is next ?
Image
A nicely written piece in yesterday's Education Guardian: the annual supplement for the BETT show. I've written the Geography preview for the show for the last 3 years. The image of the Nintendo DS with Sim City being played is mine too. The ONLINE VERSION is now available. Check out the rest of the BETT Preview too. I'll be at Teachmeet and will be manning the GEOGRAPHICAL ASSOCIATION 's STAND in the SUBJECT ASSOCIATION area on Saturday the 17th of January.
Produced by Nicola Donkin at the Geographical Association
Image
Forgot to mention that on Thursday I picked up a new friend. Look at that intrepid hairy explorer.... and Barnaby...
Image
Education 2020 Been doing various reading-type-things on Education and technology. Also signed up for an UN conference in June... Which takes place HERE. Image by Flickr user Larsomat, and made available under Creative Commons Visit the WIKISPACE  for the event.
Image
Interdependence Day Seminar Sheffield University Geography Department - 18th November - 4.15pm Thanks to Dr. Tariq Jazeel for inviting me to yesterday's seminar by Dr. Renata Tyszczuk from the Architecture department of the University of Sheffield on the Interdependence Day project , which looks at the nature of global environmental change, as we enter the era that has come to be known as the Anthropocene : one of human landscape- alteration and environmental instability. It explored interdependence as framework for discussion on human alteration of the world. It also featured the Mappae Mundi project This project is currently being developed with partners at the Open University and is a cross-disciplinary venture between Geography and Architecture, between `writing the earth´ and `making place´. Its ambition is to `put stories back into maps´. Renata talked about 2 events at the Royal Geographical Society, and the publication “Do good lives have to cost the earth ? Also passed
Image
Thanks to Dean Hughes for passing on information about the South Yorkshire Historic Environment Characterisation website.  Plenty of information on the changes in the landscape of South Yorkshire. Interesting mapping and images.
Image
Worldwise Quiz Off to Hull in a couple of hours to the Hull GA branch's Worldwise quiz , at Hymer's College. Back in 1986, I did my PGCE at Hull University, and I haven't had the chance to go back very often since, apart from a family trip to 'The Deep' and a trip to the library cinema for a rare showing of "The Singing Ringing Tree" (if you were born in the 60s you'll know what I'm talking about) If you want to organise your own quiz , there are plenty of questions from previous years on the Worldwise area of the GA website, and also contact details for Richard Gill, who can provide further information.
Image
One of my favourite reads from last year was Lynsey Hanley's " ESTATES : An intimate history" Just been putting together some resources for my LIVING GEOGRAPHY conference session, and came across a new resource in the BBC MAGAZINE section. It's a resource based on the SEACROFT estate in Leeds. The main page has a nice interactive map, with links through to video reports from a number of different perspectives, such as Dorothy Wall, who lives in one of the high-rise blocks on the estate, and has lived in the area for 25 years. There is also a nice reflective piece from Lynsey Hanley Keep an eye on the comments by others... A useful resource for personal geographies... These
Image
Latest Amazon purchase..
Another nice piece of work discovered via TWITTER. David Noble has put together a SOURCE to SEA trip by Flight Simulator down the   RIVER SEVERN... Part 1 Part 2
Image
Searching for Images on the Internet to use in the classroom This online tutorial covers all aspects of sourcing images and copyright issues. It is designed for HE students, but would be useful for anyone who wants the latest information on the issue of copyright and image use, along with some ideas for how to use images. Nice work ! Found via Twitter...
How To Make Your Own Volcano View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: volcano geography ) From the Slideshare Geography Teacher group
An excellent TES article by Ollie Bray looking at a lesson that he has taught every year since starting to teach on the development of settlements. This has now evolved to include an element of ICT to add an extra dimension. Check it out ! Building Your Own Town View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: geography olliebray ) Nice work.
Now this looks like being a very interesting event at the RSA. RSA Vodafone Event - Young people and technology: opportunities and pitfalls in a virtual world 20 November, 6.30pm Join us as we explore the best and worst that technology has to offer our children. Teacher and star of “The Unteachables” Phil Beadle , international internet consultant on child safety John Carr ; media literacy consultant, Cary Bazalgette ;  and Sarah Dyer , director of new media, Beatbullying, as we explore the best and worst that technology has to offer our children. Chair: Rory Cellan-Jones, technology correspondent, BBC News Unfortunately, am already doing too much that day and the following day to make it along... Would be good to hear from anyone who does go....
Image
Where in the World is this building ? No. 1 in a (very) occasional series... Thanks to Zachishere for image, and Anne Greaves for the tipoff...
Shakeout on CNN Been blogging about this for a while. Happened yesterday...
Another Noel Jenkins discovery... Why not create some AUDIO placemarks for Google Earth, or hotspots in a POWERPOINT. No sign up, my favourite price. What's not to like, apart from the sound of your own voice...
Image
David Lambert, Chief Executive of the GA is delivering a lecture at Sheffield University tomorrow tonight. It's part of the Centenary Lecture Series. Department of Geography Centenary Lecture Geography in schools: misheard or misplaced? Professor David Lambert (Chief Executive of the Geographical Association) 5:30 pm Richard Roberts Auditorium I shall be in the audience, and will be posting updates to my TWITTER FEED . If you want to JOIN IN, then JOIN TWITTER if you haven't already and CLICK TO FOLLOW ME on TWITTER . Coming up on the 8th of December is another rather fine lecture which I shall also attend: Department of Geography Centenary Lecture Beyond critical - some spaces of optimism in a globalised world Professor Doreen Massey (Open University) 5:30 pm Students' Union Auditorium
The Connected Generation One of my key roles at the GA is to encourage people to increase their networking. Check out this post on Ewan McIntosh's blog. Ewan McIntosh
Image
World Whisky of the Year Congratulations to Ardbeg, whose Uigeadail whisky has been awarded this prestigious title. It's also rather delicious, having had a bottle. Happy to make Ardbeg the 'official' whisky of the GA.... ;)
Image
Dan Raven Ellison and his fellow walkers, are preparing for this Saturday's walk across BRISTOL. Check out the URBAN EARTH NING for more details - it's not too late to sign up. Don't forget that there will also be a walk as part of next April's GA Conference.
Image
Geographyalltheway Resources Showcase Check this LINK for Richard's resources. You might not know about all of these...
Supersize Me.... Just working on FAST FOOD GIS resource for training course tomorrow... How about this for a useful starter video ?
Some fireworks from last night's party...
Image
Thanks to BRECON GEOGRAPHY for visiting the blog, and listing me. Some nice posts and layout. Good to see the old IMAGE CHEF generators in use too. "Grauitous creativity": my favourite new phrase...
Jane Hart's 100 Top Tools for Learning 2008 Top 100 Tools for Learning 2008 View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: tools learning ) How many do you use ?
Thanks to Bob Lang for pointing out the SHAKEOUT website , which relates to a huge earthquake preparedness drill in Southern California on the 13th of NOVEMBER . Excellent lesson resource below on YOUTUBE (can also be downloaded)
Lots of Sigur Ros clips on YouTube... From Wolverhampton Civic... Bit raggedy, but feel the energy ! Here's an Animoto I made for a session in Singapore later in the month...
New ACTIVIST website by my chum Abi.... Are you in London ? www.activistlink.co.uk  is a new website, a  listings site really, drawing together human rights and environmental events in and around London. It will be updated regularly and we are hoping that it will become the place to go for events that get you thinking and doing about how to change our society and our environment for the better. Do check it out if you get a moment, and email us at  info@activistlink.co.uk  if you've got any feedback. And please forward this email on to anyone who you think might be interested.
Image
Do you Wordle ? The CLEVER SHEEP blog of Rodd Lucier has a great post with 20 IDEAS FOR WORDLE.
Image
Quick image by Flickr user slint4587 taken at Wolves Civic Hall last night. Superb concert... Tired now...
SLN FORUM BACK ... For those who have e-mailed over the last week or so... Good news!
Image
Well done to Richard Allaway for following a certain other CGeog into the Spotlight for this month over at the RGS website.
Image
Those people who are concerned about the new requirement to teach about GIS in the new KS3 curriculum should visit the ESRI site for plenty of materials. First of all is a powerpoint which explains ALL ABOUT GIS Another page has links to a load of resources , including an interactive movie outlining the connections that you have with GIS through the day. Check these resources out !
Image
Just registered for the TRACES OF HOPE activity to trial it. It's produced by the British Red Cross. Vicious war in Northern Uganda has destroyed Joseph’s home and torn his family apart. He has one goal, to find out from the Red Cross if his mother is alive or dead. Now he has arrived in the dangerous camp they call Hopetown, he has 24 hours to track down the Red Cross messenger and he needs you to be his guide. He has a satellite phone, you have the web – together you’ll make a great team. Time is running out; guide Joseph through sickness, fire and violence as together you follow his traces of hope. Just received my first video message... Joseph1 from Joseph 1 on Vimeo . Why not give it a go ?
Image
Just ordered this...
Image
Just catching up on what's been happening while I've been away for a few days... Lots as it happens. Here are some images from my trip to Hastings. Plenty more on my FLICKR page.
BBC Augmented Reality GIS Demo Thanks to Ollie Bray for tip-off...
The Cry at St. Paul's Cathedral Invitation to a World Premiere at St Paul's Cathedral for Save the Children You are warmly invited to the premiere of The Cry: A Requiem for the Lost Child which will take place in St Paul's Cathedral at 6pm on Sunday 16 November 2008 in aid of Save the Children. Composed by Adrian Snell and directed by David Drummond, The Cry is a spectacular and moving musical production that remembers children who've lost their lives or childhood because of warfare, armed conflict or ethnic cleansing. The lead vocalists are Niamh Perry (BBC1's I'd Do Anything) and opera star Mark Stone. They'll be joined by violinist Jeanine Thorpe (BBC2's Classical Star and Maestro), Adrian Snell, the London Oriana Choir, the London Oratory School Schola, keyboard player Dave Bainbridge (Iona) and a host of other talented singers and musicians. The performance will be introduced by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. The Cry features a rap sp
Just a few lines from a very wet Royal Tunbrige Wells. A lot sunnier on the Stade in Hastings yesterday (and a long way from last Saturday when I was in Edinburgh !) Photos and more to come when I get home tomorrow. Good to see that the GA NING is now up over 200 members. Room for plenty more !