Exploring the Concepts and Content in IGCSE and IBDP Geography
This article written by Peter Dockrill for Science alert examines the potentially devestating realities of Arctic ice disappearing. It is based on the modeling research by professor Dirk Notz of University of Hamburg and his team. A quick article definitely worth a perusal for those studying or interested in the effects of the enhanced greenhouse effect and climate change.
In these times where angst prevails, I figured it was time to pull up a classic video, one that mentions some harsh realities, but more importantly, is flooded with optimism. The late Hans Rosling is a legend among the geographic community for his positive-yet-realistic outlook, unyielding enthusiasm, and desire to educate. He is without a doubt a heavy influence on me as a teacher of geography.
In these times when many of us are staying at home, it is important to remember that history shows us we will pull through COVID-19 outbreak. Take a look to check out the astounding ‘progress’ humanity has made in the last 200 years. We’re not where we need to be, inequality still abounds both globally and nationally, but we are indeed moving forward as a species in many ways.
I wish everyone safety and health and a pinch of sanity during these strange times!
This video gives useful and interesting knowledge for any geography student or someone interested in international relations or futurology. Great for revision of the core as well as urban environments to a certain extent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMo3nZHVrZ4&feature=emb_logo
This 30 minute rundown on the nature of the ‘fast fashion’ industry should be watched by anyone who has interest or passion about shopping, fashion, human geography, human rights, and climate change (and a lot more, of course!). It has many links with the Global Interactions section of the IBDP syllabus, as well as the Resource Consumption section. Take the time to learn the realities of stores like H&M, Zara, and Forever 21, become a more knowledgable and critical consumer, all the while learning about the industry in a humorous way.
https://youtu.be/xGF3ObOBbac
Some explicit language.
The link below contains a ‘live’ bar chart which goes through the most populous cities in the world, from 1500-2018. It is an excellent resource to spark discussions as to what makes cities successful, and what the future has for urban environments
https://observablehq.com/@johnburnmurdoch/bar-chart-race-the-most-populous-cities-in-the-world
This slightly long(er) clip focusses on some of the realities about African migration. Good for lessons on migration, urbanisation, displacement, and more. Misconceptions are illuminated and some interesting examples of cause and consequence are brought to light as well.
The link below offers viewers a fantastic visual platform for viewing wind, ocean currents, particulates and more. The virtual globe can help students to understand, describe, explain, analyse…the command terms are endless! Click on ‘earth’ in the bottom left corner to manipulate the settings and change to ocean currents, particulates, etc. Move the map around to view the patterns all around the world!
(Photo below a screenshot of the website)
Dr. Jordan B Peterson is (in)famous for his bold and sometimes controversial views on a variety of subjects. Grade 11s, your homework is to watch the from 05:00 to 21:30 minutes of the video below on gender equality. Your assignment is, in your notebooks as a continuation of the gender equality topic, to write down (at least) three statements you agree with and (at least) three you disagree with/find a bit too strongly worded. You can pause the video so these statements need to be written down word for word. Your notebooks will be checked and we will follow this up with a reflective discussion the first class of next week.
My good friend and fellow geographer Arnoud Kamp recommended this (in Dutch) mini-documentary to me. At only 45 minutes long, it goes into the diversity, personality, and future of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. If you know anything about Rotterdam and the transformation it is undergoing, you will know about the rapid gentrification that is taking over. This documentary analyses the practical consequences of the drivers of this change. One of the more apt and realistic presentations of the damages of gentrification and so called ‘urban renewal’.
https://www.vpro.nl/programmas/tegenlicht/kijk/afleveringen/2018-2019/mijn-stad-is-mijn-hart.html
THIS IS A MUST WATCH FOR DUTCH SPEAKERS INTERESTED IN GEOGRAPHY AND CITIES
A special thanks and shout out to an old student (Sasha v.h.) who sent me this incredible link. With relevance to disparities, urban environments, migration, and so much more, these images captured by drones show the distinct spatial differences between ‘rich and poor’, ‘developed and developing’, or maybe even ‘us and them’. An example of such an image taken from the website can be found below.
To all of my students past (and present too, of course), please send me any cool stuff you encounter both online or in your university courses. Would love to hear from you and use what you find in my classes!
Click the link to check out the powerful images:
Photograph: Johnny Miller