The OCR Geography Subject Advisor, Shelley Monk ran two workshops at the annual Geographical Association Conference. The resources for these workshop can be downloaded below. You can find out more about what support is available by visiting our dedicated support page.

Exploring higher-order thinking skills in A Level Geography

This interactive session explored techniques to develop higher-order thinking skills within the context of case studies, fieldwork and extended writing. The main aim of the session was to support teachers in developing their students independence; in preparation for higher education and employment.

Workshop resources

Exploring higher-order thinking skills in A Level geography

HOTS Activity 3c Mill Road Cambridge Place profile

Fieldwork to develop deeper geographical understanding

The workshop explored opportunities to develop geographical understanding through actively using key terminology and exploring the fieldwork location to enable students to make experiential connections to place. We looked at GCSE fieldwork in relation to the enquiry approach, effective geographical questions, embedding knowledge and understanding 'in the field' and encouraging students to 'critically reflect'.

Workshop resources

Fieldwork to develop deeper geographical understanding

Teacher feedback on the fieldwork workshop

"The OCR fieldwork session at the GA Conference really allowed me to reflect on the way we do fieldwork. The session was affirming in that we already link our fieldwork to the case studies; North Norfolk is one of our ‘Distinctive Landscapes’ so we take students there to complete physical fieldwork, and Cambridge is our AC City in the ‘Urban Futures’ topic so we take students there for human fieldwork."

"For both trips we organise the fieldwork around the things they need to know in the specification, for example asking where people have travelled from, and what they are doing in Cambridge allows students to see how important Cambridge is as a city."

"The session also made me reflect on the amount of ownership we give to students on their fieldwork trips. We are perhaps a little prescriptive, but Shelley gave great examples of how we could encourage students to be more involved in the fieldwork design. We are working on this now in my department. Thanks to OCR for another great workshop." (Gemma Pollard, Bourne Grammar School).

If you have any questions please do get in touch by sending us an email.