older primary pupils' perceptions of geography - findings from a cross phase pgce project at...
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Older Primary Pupils' Perceptions of Geography- Findings from a cross phase PGCE project at
the IoE 2006/07
John CookInstitute of Education
Yes
No
Not Sure
Sometimes
Is Geography Fun?Yes – 54%
No – 11%
Not Sure – 15%
Sometimes – 20%
What Do You Learn In Geography?
Its about the world
Greece
Mountains
River Nile
Countries and
Cities
43% knew about Geography – wider context
20% didn’t know what Geography was
Can we make the world a better place?Yes – 90%
No – 5%No answer – 2.5%
Don’t know – 2.5%
Keeping your environment clean – 33%
Stop polluting – 14%
Stop smoking – 8%
Stop violence – no wars –
10%
Recycle – 18%
Help around the world – ie health, education etc –
12%
Stop global warming – 5%
Children’s views of the futureChildren’s views of the future
Hopes• no war/more peace• less pollution/clean air• no poverty/no famine• friendly community and cooperation between countries.Fears• War/nuclear war/terrorists• Robots and machines will dominate• The world will become more polluted• Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunami,
meteorites.
3. Which country would you most like to learn about 3. Which country would you most like to learn about and why?and why?
4. Name the city and country you live in and where it is in the 4. Name the city and country you live in and where it is in the world.world.
Reasons for children’s choices broadly seem to fall under two categories:
1. They have some connection with that country e.g. ancestry
2. Because they don’t know anything about the country and it seems to be exotic
Most were capable of naming the city and country they were from and they were generally in the right hierarchy. Some mentioned the Northern hemisphere.
•¼ mentioned the USA, which may reflect the Americanisation of our culture.
•1/6 Mentioned developed Asian countries (i.e. China)
•Only 1 European country was mentioned
In a study by Patrick Wiegand in 1992- Year 6 Children were able to name on average 15
countries.Our study showed an increase -average was 20
How many countries can you name?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0_5 6_10 11_15 16_20 21_25 26+
No. of correct countriesnamed
Where do you think trainers come from?
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Chi
na
Indo
nesi
a
Am
eric
a
Ban
glad
sh
Indi
a
UK
Japa
n
Gre
ece
Vie
tnam
Oth
er
Fac
tory
Sho
p
Ani
mal
Place
Nu
mb
er o
f C
hil
dre
n
Number