Learning, Teaching and Assessment in the GEES Disciplines
The purpose of the GEES Subject Centre is to promote and support high quality learning and teaching across the disciplines of geography, earth and environmental sciences in UK higher education (HE). The GEES Subject Centre is both responsive and pro-active in supporting the changing needs, priorities and agendas of the GEES disciplines and the UK HE as a whole. Our work is informed by considerable ‘intelligence gathering’ and ‘horizon scanning’ within the GEES community and across HE, thereby ensuring that we are prepared in advance to offer support as new issues arise.Our approach will be inclusive: we work across geography, earth and environmental sciences, at all levels of provision (from Foundation to Postgraduate level), with all kinds of HE providers and in all parts of the UK.
This web page provides an outline of key resources available from the Subject Centre and elsewhere on the theme of learning, teaching and assessment. The Resource Database contains many case studies and examples of practice on a wide range of themes including group work, large classes, problem-based learning, computer-based assessment and so on.
- Learning and Teaching
- Assessment and feedback
- Foundation degrees and Sector Skills Councils
- Quality assurance
- Quantitative skills
- Taught postgraduate level
Learning and Teaching
Latest News: 'Mapping the Environmental Landscape: An investigation into the state of the environmental science subject in higher education' - a report from The Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences (CHES) available now (March 2008).
- Publication: Threshold Concepts and Troublesome Knowledge in GEES (pdf file: Dec 2006)
- Publication: Case Studies in Problem based Learning from GEES (PBL) (pdf file: Nov 2001)
- Past Event: What on Earth...? Student Learning in the GEES disciplines (June 2006)
- Past Event: 'Good Learning & Teaching Ideas' Swap Shops for Earth and Environmental Sciences (February & April 2002)
- Web Page: Linking Teaching and Research in the Disciplines
- Web Page: Discussion papers on Learning Cycles and Learning Styles in Geography (Geography Discipline Network)
Assessment and Feedback
- Guide: Assessment in the Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Environmental Studies (2005)
- Briefings: Giving Feedback (2010) and Modes of Feedback (2010)
- Past Event: Assessment for Learning Conference (June 2009)
- Web page: HE Academy Resources on Assessment
Foundation Degrees and Sector Skills Councils
- Project: Extended international work-related placements: the challenges of supporting remote learning and assessment: Department of Geography, Bath Spa University College
- Foundation Degrees
- Sector Skills Councils
Quality assurance
- QAA Benchmark Statements (Geography; Earth Science, Environmental Science & Environmental Studies - 2007)
- Advice on using the ES3 Benchmark Statement (2000)
- Example Programme Specifications (2000)
- Aspiring and Current External Examiners in the GEES disciplines (project report: 2004)
Quantitative Skills
- Website: Teaching Quantitative Skills in the Geosciences
- Website: Math Tutorials for Students in Introductory Geosciences
- Resource Briefing : Mathematics, Statistics & Quantitative Skills in GEES (pdf file: December 2003, links updated April 2008)
- Project: Interactive Mathematics and Geoscience Education (IMAGE)
Taught Postgraduate Level
- Publication: Postgraduate Taught Courses in GEES (pdf file: June 2005)
- Project: 'Postgraduateness' of Vocational Masters Courses: An evaluation of good practice in the development of postgraduate taught environmental courses (2003)
- Project: Professional Practice of Earth Scientists in Industry (2003)
- Project: Writing Geology: Understanding and improving the science communication skills of Earth Science students (2003)
- Past Event: Postgraduate conference - issues associated with Masters level education within the GEES disciplines (February 2008)
- Past Event: International Network for Learning & Teaching Geography in Higher Education: Taught Postgraduate Education discussion group (Brisbane, 2006)
- Past Event: 'Postgraduateness': Skill Development and Vocational Relevance (June 2004)