AGTI South East Branch

and more text books

2012-01-30T15:56:00.000-08:00

The revised Horizons series written by Tara Fitzharris, a branch member, who spoke to the local branch in January about revision techniques for the Junior and Leaving Certificate.
Horizons is an innovative exam-focused and hugely resourced programme for Leaving Certificate Geography.

It is integrated programme with a variety of resources available for teacher and student. All components are integrated into the teacher's eBook on folensonline. Digital resources on CD-Rom are available to teachers on request.

Not to mention the revised version of Today's World co-written by our former branch Chairperson, Kieran McCarthy. This is a comprehensive textbook for the Leaving Certificate Geography course suitable for both Higher and Ordinary Level. This textbook covers the three core units of the Leaving Certificate course with full-colour packed with maps, diagrams, photographs, and satellite images; Revised and fully up-to-date student- and teacher-friendly text; Covers the 3 core units, with exam questions at the end of each chapter; Additional key questions are provided to facilitate revision and homework; Up-to-date with the latest statistics and case studies and extensive glossary and new and improved diagram. How do you chose?

Keeping up with the text books.

2012-01-30T15:31:00.000-08:00

Exciting new books for Leaving Cert. Geography

A relative paucity of high Leaving Cert. grades – particularly in the ‘A’ categories – has been a worry and an annoyance to Geography teachers in recent years. This challenge is now being met by Changing World - a welcome and exciting new series of textbooks to be launched in April. Changing World, published by Gill and Macmillan, is the work of well-known author Charles Hayes, (who spoke to the Branch in November) and whose Junior Certificate New Complete Geography is among the most successful Irish Geography texts of all times

The new texts will benefit students of a wide range of abilities and should greatly suit mixed-ability classes. They present comprehensive A1-grade materials in a manner that is accessible to all. Written and laid out in a crystal-clear style, Changing World presents much of its materials in the form of beautiful double-page spreads that are designed make learning a joy rather than a chore.

A welcome feature of Changing World is that it systematically teaches all the skills (and not just those relating to OS maps and aerial photographs) needed for Leaving Cert. ‘Exam practise’ sessions are another unique feature of the new books. They repeatedly use Leaving Cert. questions, marking schemes and sample answers to teach students how to write full-mark answers in the times allocated within the exam. These techniques alone ought to greatly increase our Geography A-grade results at Leaving Cert.

The Changing World core text is shadowed chapter by chapter by a sizeable, full-colour workbook. The workbook uses exam-type questions, ‘exam practise sessions’, crossword puzzles and other devices to help students revise materials, improve geographical skills and hone exam techniques. The workbook also includes a unique ‘advice section’ that gives information and advice on a wide range of practical issues that range from study techniques to the timing of exam questions.

The new series will consist of a core textbook, a workbook and the choice of a Human Geography or an Economic Geography textbook - each of which contains a selection of ‘Options’ as well as a chosen ‘Elective’. The entire series will be backed up by fully interactive ‘flip books’ and by free, internet ‘etests’ in which students can track and self-examine their progress.

Eye in the Sky from National Geographic

2012-01-21T12:59:00.000-08:00

Another website worth a look with Natures Fury (Earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, tornadoes and Wildfire); Human Impact (floods and dams, ozone and pollution, deforestation and desertification, and overpopulation); and Human Conflict (refugees and war). This website is from National Geographic.

An interesting view of JC and LC geography using Word Clouds

2011-12-21T12:15:00.000-08:00

Check out this wordle for Junior Certificate geography here

....and one here for Leaving Certificate Physical geography...note the emphasis on Processes
...and one for Regional geography here

...and one now for Core 3, the Investigation here

Some population issues

2011-12-17T13:05:00.001-08:00

A rather worrying article from the Economist entitled:

Will Africa's population boom end in dividend or disaster?
Click here.
Another article on the 7 million mark being reached...here.

Fieldwork links

2011-12-16T03:33:00.000-08:00

This website from the Field Studies Council in the UK has a useful section on geography fieldwork.

2013 list of topics

A study of local traffic patterns.
A local environmental issue.
Changing land-use in a local area – a study of spatial change and change
through time.
A local demographic study.
Test the hypothesis that erosion is an active process in a fluvial or glacial or
coastal environment.
Investigate how geology effects the landscape in a local area.

New website launched

2011-12-01T04:20:00.000-08:00

excellent new website launched yesterday for anyone doing a traffic based fieldwork investigation. Also good for those who teach Project Maths...lots of stats and maps.

Calendar revised

2011-09-07T07:41:00.000-07:00

Branch AGM plus focus on Electives and the Exams (Charles Hayes) and the Future of Geography at Junior Certificate (Peter Lydon) at Waterford Teachers centre at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday November ^23rd

A teachers insight into Junior Certificate by Tara Fitzharris at Wexford Teachers centre (Enniscorthy) on January 16^th

Copper Coast fieldwork (full day) led by Tina Keating...left over from last year on February 25^th . €10 deposit (refundable) to confirm place by 10^th February.

Making maps with (1) Richard Kirwan ex OS (If maps could speak), (2) Lidar with Pat Healy and (3) GeoFis...an update. Venue: Kilkenny Castle on March 3rd .

Classroom activities for exploring resources and economic activities (PDST)on March 6^th in Waterford and March 15^th in Wexford teacher’s centre.

April 21^st : Fieldwork for those who have not already attended inservice (Wexford/ PDST)
PDST (Professional Development service for teachers)

Annual Conference

2011-09-07T07:29:00.000-07:00

Check out details for the Annual Conference here.

Dates are October 21st and 22nd in Galway.

SE Branch AGM

2010-10-01T06:33:00.001-07:00

The South East branch of the AGTI

will hold their AGM in the Waterford Teachers Centre

on Thursday November 18th at 7.30.

Rocks and the Rock Cycle: a presentation from Tina Keating, the Geologist with the Copper Coast Geopark who will explain the resources available to Secondary level teachers and their classes. Click here for a link to their excellent resources. In March we plan to run a field trip to the Copper Coast as a follow up.

Wind Energy: a case study of a windfarm on an old mine site by Mr Jim Dunne. Lisheen mines will provide you with a good example for the Economic Elective. Check out this link to discover where this site is.

The meeting will conclude with a discussion on the marking scheme used for the Fieldwork Investigation

Geography teachers for Leaving Certificate 2011 should be aware of the changes in the prescribed list:
1. Geomorphic process of transportation and / or deposition in a fluvial or coastal environment.
2. Human interaction with the geomorphic processes in a glacial or coastal or fluvial or karst environment.
3. A study of how land-use affects traffic flow patterns in a local area.
4. Analysis of a waste management strategy in a local area.
5. Fifty years of population – a local demographic study.
6. The changing economic landscape in a rural or urban setting.

The 2012 list has also recently arrived and thrown up some interesting changes!!!
1. A study of one landform evident on the Irish landscape formed by geographic processes.
2. Study the relationship between economic activity and traffic flow in a local area.
3. Analyse the change in land-use patterns from the Central Business District (CBD) outwards in a local area over time.
4. Water pollution: a study of a local stream or river.
5. Demographic change in a local setting.
6. A survey of the distribution of economic activities past and present in a local area.

AGTI National Conference

2010-10-01T05:53:00.000-07:00

The 2010 National Conference of the AGTI will be held in the Design Centre, Kilkenny and Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle.

Friday 1st October 2010

Design Centre, Kilkenny
Registration from 7.30pm
Opening of Conference at 8.00pm
Guest Speaker: Mr. Jack Burchaell 'The Landscapes of Kilkenny'

Saturday 2nd October 2010

9.00am: Registration in the Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle
9.30am - 10.30am: Primary Resources in the South East: A Case study of Lisheen Mines, Mr. Jim Dunne, Lisheen Mines
10.30: Tea & Coffee

10.45 - 12.00 pm: Parallel Session

a. CSO - SAPMAP and the 2011 Census, Deirdre Cullen, CSO

b. Walking Tour of Kilkenny, Pat Tynan

12.00 - 12.30: AGTI AGM
12.30 - 2.00pm: Tour of Period Rooms
1.00pm - 2.00pm: Lunch in the Design Centre Kilkenny
2.00pm - 3.00pm Parallel Session

a. 'The Geographical Investigation: What's not to love?, Sue Honan

b. Walking Tour of Kilkenny, Pat Tynan

3.15pm - 4.15pm: Human Interaction with River processes in the South East, Vincent Hussey, Senior Engineer, Hydrometric Section, OPW

4.15pm: Plenary Session

Post Marking Review
Other issues

Scoilnet maps

2010-02-10T01:45:00.000-08:00

The NCTE are running a course on Scoilnet Maps consisting of two modules. the first of these will cover the basics and the second will be more advanced. This is a great opportunity to refresh the skills many of you gained whilst doing the initial inservice training.
These modules will take place on March 2nd and March 9th at the Waterford Teachers Centre. The course tutor will run be Niall Moynihan.
All schools have been circulated but if you do not get the booking form, ring the Waterford Teachers Centre on 051-311000. The deadline for booking is February 24th.
The manual is available on the Scoilnet website.

Forthcoming AGM

2009-10-27T12:57:00.000-07:00

The 2009 Annual General Meeting will be held on December 9th at 7.30 p.m. in the Waterford Teachers Centre.
We hope to spice up the meeting with some guest speakers. We are not going to focus this year on the ever frustrating Leaving Certificate exam. Instead, we have lined up two of the book companies to give presentations on their Junior Certificate product and how best to use them. The Educational Company will give some ideas on their digital resources and the Folens hope to encourage Eddie Gilmartin along to suggest how to make best use of his textbook. Both companies presented at the full AGM of the AGTI in early October but most people missed it!

For an insight into Edco Digital browse their website

Folens produce Earth Matters is a three year textbook that covers all elements of the Junior Certificate Geography course for Higher and Ordinary levels. The textbook is accompanied by a workbook. There is a teacher's CD available for teachers and the textbook will be available online as a teacher's resource.

Peter Lydon will also introduce how he works with Blogs in Transition Year. For a sneak preview check out his website

Looking at Geography

2009-01-22T12:54:00.000-08:00

The next meeting is provisionally set for 26th February at Waterford Education Centre.
The main speaker will be Domnall Fleming, senior departmental inspector. He will discuss the recent inspectorate report: Looking at Geography. You can download the report in advance if you wish.
We will also have a final chance to look at the most recent draft of the AGTI Constitution and nominate 2 representatives to the forthcoming EGM.

Introduction

2009-01-04T04:30:00.000-08:00

I have started this Blog to provide a central information point available to all of our members online.
My next step will be to confirm the programme for the first part of 2009.
I have added some key weblinks on the bottom left side of this webpage. If you are not familiar with these already, check them out.