First few days...

First few days at the GA were suitably busy.
Getting used to the different combinations of accommodation and journeys in relating to working in a distant location - well, Sheffield...
Firstly, the GA is a fairly small-scale operation compared to the Royal Geographical Society, and similarly the office premises are on a more modest scale. When I first visited the offices, there was a view across the valley and up to the Sheffield Ski Village, but now the view is mostly blocked by some of the dramatic redevelopment that has taken place in that part of Sheffield. There are a number of offices, each of which is dedicated to a particular aspect of the GA's operations, and these are staffed by a mix of full and part-time colleagues, all of whom are dedicated to the geographical cause. In the curriculum office is the desk where I work, along with John Lyon: the Programme Director who looks at the 'Big Picture' as well as being in charge of me. On most days, you'll also find Wendy North: one of the Primary Curriculum Development Leaders who also works on the Primary Quality Mark (watch out for the Quality Geography conferences in 2009), and Ruth Totterdell, who is the joint National Subject Lead for the CfBT project, but also works on several projects for the GA. Justin Wooliscroft is the other person who uses the office, and he oversees the Secondary Geography Quality Mark, and contributes to other projects.

First thing to notice is, no bells.... (apart from the door bell) - a nice desk area and storage. The sound of construction going on outside as the finishing touches are put to a number of high rise developments...

Just a flavour of what I did with my first 2 days:

• Received a copy of an excellent little booklet that can be downloaded from the Innovation Unit website. It's by Charles Leadbeater, who wrote the book "We Think" (which I am using as a template for some of my networking developments at the GA), and is called: "What's Next ? 21 ideas for 21 Century Learning"
• Sent some e-mails regarding New Teacher Networks, which are coming soon from the GA. Worked on the NING to support Geography NQTs. If you're a Geography NQT this year, go HERE and sign up to the Ning !
• Had a lengthy meeting to be brought up to speed on the amazing array of projects that are currently ongoing, and the ones I would be particularly involved with - keep reading the blog for more details...
  
• Had a quick look at some of the new GCSE Specifications, accredited versions of which are now available to download from the relevant websites. I have my own favourites. If you want to know more about them, I am involved in a GCSE Conference being organised by SfE in collaboration with the GA. More details of that HERE. One speaker will be David Gardner from QCA, so you can get all the latest news.
• Started some NING user guides and documents for people new to this type of networking, and did some draft action planning, and also creating some maps...
• Worked on keynote details for Regional conferences coming up next year, so that publicity could go out.
• Did some reading for a meeting next week looking at CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT.
  
• Edited some bits for next issue of GA Magazine, and read through the final proof versions. Keep an eye out for the issue when it comes into schools, it's an action packed one !
• Prepared for a meeting next month with a group of headteachers, and HMI...
• Discussed the GA's presence at the Scottish Association of Geography Teachers (SAGT) Conference in October.
• Had a briefing on the GA's DATABASE.
  
• Meeting re. a new project which is going to explore ideas of PROGRESSION in Geography
• Got contacts for a new web project I am likely to be writing some materials for (watch this space for more...)
  

Also took part in a pub quiz, and another team member had recently returned from Canada, where he talked about the rate of ice melting on the glaciers. Noticed this relevant, and alarming story on the BBC NEWS website.

Thanks to all those people who e-mailed their best wishes on the first day.

Remember that the GA exists to promote the study of geography, and further the professional development of geography teachers. Keep checking back for more. If you want to know more or get in touch, e-mail me - aparkinson is my name, and the domain for the e-mail is geography.org.uk..

Also downloaded Google Chrome: Google's new web browser (in Beta)


Also signed up on the TEACHMEET Wiki to do a 7 minute presentation (though that might yet become a nano depending on timings...) at the Teachmeet at the Scottish Learning Festival, on the 24th of September - booked my train and rooms for that as well...
Working title is "Meme me"... looking at NING networks to support curriculum development...
Maybe see you there...
And that's the first 2 days done...