Geography Teaching Today

In this KS3 scheme of work pupils will:

• Look at their own consumer behaviour and begin to understand how they are targeted by companies
• Begin to understand the global effects of their decisions and explore the concept of 'interconnectedness'
• Examine the dangers of e-waste and the idea of sustainability. They will hopefully begin to realise that their own actions have far reaching effects

This scheme of work is divided into three lessons, each of which is accompanied by a PowerPoint. The lesson plans are as follows:

Lesson Plan 1: Whats in a phone?

Arguably, the mobile phone is the most personal consumer goods device. Companies encourage consumers to upgrade their models. With ever advancing technologies, companies can easily influence consumers. Pupils are introduced to the 'life cyles' of products- in this case of the mobile phone. They look at why many people want the most 'up to date' model. They are encouraged to examine their own buying habits and investigate the concept of interconnectedness.

Lesson Plan 2: Mobiles, mining and gorillas

Pupils will begin to understand that their consumer choices can have far reaching effects. They will look at how conflict has arisen in the DRC and see how this has affected people and the environment.

Lesson Plan 3/4: Thrown Away- Where is 'away'?

Pupils will broaden their understanding of product lifecycles to see that this can be attributed to many products. They will know what e-waste is and recognise that it is often dumped illegally in real places creating real problems for people and the environment. Pupils will examine flows of trade and subsequent e-waste using Worldmapper.

                                The RSA WEEE Man

The full scheme of work can be downloaded below. The three PowerPoint presentations correspond to each of the above lessons. You may also download Making the Connection, an article written by Tom Lovell about how this project came to be and his reflections on what it is to be a 'public scholar'.

Download: Scheme of Work 
Download: What's in a phone? 
Download: Mobiles, mining and gorillas 
Download: Thrown Away- Where is 'Away'? 
Download: Making the Connection

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