MasterClass in Geography Education: Transforming, Teaching and Learning

Abstract

In his exhibition ‘The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman’ at the British Museum in 2011-12, Grayson Perry observed:

‘I Have Never Been To Africa: When I think of Africa I feel guilt and fear. I only have the impression of a continent brought to me by old photographs, stories, the TV news and artefacts I encounter. This, I imagine, is not the ‘real’ Africa. That is in someone else’s head.’

When we teach about Africa most of our pupils will also be able to say ‘I have never been to Africa’, as can many teachers. Before starting a unit of work with an African link it’s often appropriate, especially at primary school level, to discover, to research, what ‘is in someone else’s (each pupil’s) head’ and to plan teaching accordingly. So when I was asked to review this book it was with Perry’s comment in my head. If I were embarking on a Master’s research project in geography education, how guiding, helpful or important would this book be? Would it help me theoretically, philosophically and practically, with initial planning, to pose my research question, with method and methodology and with controlling the scale of my research, as well as completing the task?