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Professional learning program for 2012
The calendar of professional learning events for Term 1 is now available with easy to use online booking forms. Pay by credit card, authorised school order form or cheque.
Bookings for the popular VCE student lectures can also be made online. Make an online school booking for all three lectures and benefit from the attractively priced multi-lecture bundle. Country schools also benefit with a ‘distance discount’.
Change of GTAV Education Officers
Terry McMeekin GTAV's former Education Officer was given a rousing farewell by committee members and staff at their Christmas function on Monday 12 December. Terry was thanked by GTAV President Trish Douglas for her good humour, dedicated service and contribution to the association. All members wish Terry a happy retirement.
GTAV's new Education Officer in 2012 will be Steve Latham. Stephen is a passionate and dedicated geographer who comes to the position with many years experience teaching Geography at all levels of secondary, along with University Foundation and First Year. He has taught across a number of sectors of education in Victoria. Most recently he has taught and co-ordinated Geography at Taylors College, Melbourne. Stephen is also a past GTAV Committee member and he served as Vice President during this time.
A wealth of experience in the utilisation of information technology will be a great asset as the GTAV strives to support teachers in incorporating digital technology into the Geography curriculum. Over a number of years Stephen has also been involved in careers and is undertaking research into Geography and Green Careers as part of a Masters in Education. This knowledge will no doubt be invaluable in the position of Education Officer at the GTAV. We warmly welcome him to the Association and look forward to working with him in 2012.
The population debate
A special issue of Geographical Research looks at the population debate in Australia, a debate mirrored in many other nations around the globe. The special issue has a strong policy focus, and demonstrates how political argument can be interwoven with academic analysis to produce not just an idea for action but an accompanying motivation for aggressive implementation. View presentations made during a panel discussion at the IAG 2011 Conference.
Pat Beeson recognised for her outstanding contributionThe GTAV is thrilled to announce that Pat Beeson has received an award from the Council of the Professional Teachers’ Association of Victoria (CPTAV) for her 'Outstanding Contribution to a Subject Association'. Pat is an esteemed Geography teacher whose teaching in fieldwork and spatial technology is exemplary. In 2011, on behalf of the GTAV, Pat undertook the mammoth task of coordinating “Geography's Big Week Out” — a week long experience and assessment of the best Geography students from across Australia — four of whom would ultimately be chosen to represent Australia at an international competition in Germany in 2012. Hundreds of hours of work was involved to create a fantastic program which will also provide the GTAV with a multitude of fieldwork activities for the future. The GTAV joins with the CPTAV in applauding the outstanding work of Pat Beeson. |
Pat Beeson (right) and GTAV President Trish Douglas at the award ceremony |
Australian Curriculum: Geography
The draft geography F-12 Australian Curriculum: Geography went live on-line for consultation in October 2011 and is available for feedback until 28 February 2012. If you want to have a look at the draft scope and sequence for geography just go to http://consultation.australiancurriculum.edu.au/ and log-in.
GTAV/VCAA consultation sessions
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) and the Geography Teachers Association of Victoria (GTAV) invite teachers of Geography in primary and secondary schools to attend a consultation session to provide feedback on the draft national Geography curriculum. The feedback from these consultations will contribute to the Victorian response to the draft curriculum.
Tuesday 16 February 2012 |
Ballarat |
Ballarat Grammar |
Tuesday 21 February 2012 |
Drouin |
Chairo Christian School |
Thursday 23 February 2012 |
Templestowe |
Serpell Primary School |
Tuesday 28 February 2012 |
Tarneit |
Thomas Carr College |
To register for any of these sessions, please visit:
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/foundation10/curriculum/registration/geography.html
GTAV surveys
Please take some time to complete the survey and have your say about this curriculum. The responses will be a guide to the GTAV in preparing a response to ACARA.
A senior curriculum survey is also being developed.
>> Foundation to Year 6 Survey
>> Years 7-10 Survey
Geographia — AGTA's newsletter
Read all of the latest news from AGTA in the latest issue of Geographia.
Geography apps
The GTAV would like to know about the apps you and your students are using in your geography classes. We would like you to identify the apps that are most relevant to, and enhance, geography learning and outcomes. Are the apps used for particular geographic topics or general use? We would be grateful if you could provide us with a list of app names and also tell us the topic you use the app to teach and the year level you think it is most relevant to be used. Send your response to Judy Mraz at dp@gtav.asn.au or complete as an electronic survey.
VCE Geography Revision Lecture 2011 DVD
Copies DVD of the student revision lecture presented on Saturday 15 October 2011 are now available for purchase.
New VCE textbooks
The GTAV is publishing two exciting new textbooks to replace New Perspectives and New Perspectives Supplement. The changes and new material take into account the many suggestions and ideas provided by VCE Geography teachers. They are Geography Environments VCE Units 1 and 2 (New Perspectives) cost $54.95 and Resources and Perspectives Units VCE 3 and 4 (New Perspectives) cost $79.95.
>> Order now
>> Further details here
GTAV Annual conference
Videos of the 2011 GTAV conference presentations have been added to the GTAV website.
GTAV Trial Exam paper
The GTAV is publishing a trial examination paper to support VCE Geography teachers in addressing the criteria for the examination as specified by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. The format is similar to the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority paper. The colour A4 data booklet uses a variety of data – maps, graphs, photographs, tables and text extracts. A separate question booklet includes spaces for responses and base maps and table layouts.
Please note that the trial examination papers are sold as sets of 15 colour data booklets* with a Question booklet included in the package as a blackline master format for schools to reproduce as required. A set of Guidelines for responses is provided with a breakdown of marks to help students understand the best way to answer questions.
*There is no need to colour-print the data booklet— 15 copies are included in the pack.
Order the 2011 exam now and you can purchase the 2010 and/0r the 2009 exams for only $20.00 each.
Interaction back issues online
Members can access back issues of Interaction from 2001 to 2011. To access this collection of back issues GTAV members must login.
Not a member? Join now and enjoy the benefits.
New resource from AGTA
Exploring 21st Century Geography DVD
An outstanding collection of teaching resources from the Australian Geography Teachers Association includes spatial technologies/GIS units. The DVD contains:
- articles and resources on 21st century Geography
- GIS skills development, GIS in Physical Geography and Historical GIS books – course processes and activities with geographical data
- 21st Century Internet sites
- technology in the geography classroom articles, internet sites and resources
- inquiry project design and work samples.
Australian orders: AUD$95.00 including GST and postage
International orders: AUD$105.00 including postage
>> Purchase
>> Brochure
Destination Spatial
Teachers are advised that Destination Spatial is a newly created education sub-committee which includes representatives from the spatial industries, tertiary institutions and subject associations, including the GTAV and Careers Teachers association. Careers in the spatial industry are underpinned by Geography and offer a number of opportunities in Australia and overseas with excellent wages and future prospects.