Consultation on the Proposed Revision of Geography Curriculum (Secondary 1-3)

1. Consultation on the Proposed Revision of Geography Curriculum (Secondary 1-3) Curriculum Framework Au-Yeung Wai Yin Ad-hoc Committee for the Revision of S1-3 Geography Curriculum

2. Objectives of the Curriculum Knowledge and Understanding • develop a thorough understanding of key geographical concepts and apply them in newsituations and contexts; (b) develop a solid framework of place knowledge, including the knowledgeand understanding of places in the local region, other places in China, the Asia-Pacific and the world, andthe interconnectedness among these places;

3. Objectives of the Curriculum (c)describe and explain the interactions between human and the natural environment over space and time, and the patterns and impactscreated by such interactions; (d)understand how the natural environment influencehuman life and howhuman activities alter the natural environment;

4. Objectives of the Curriculum (e)develop a knowledge and understanding of the major issues of globalconcern, and how these issues can be managed and/or resolved in asustainable way. Energy Food Climate Change Disease Ocean Globalization

5. Objectives of the Curriculum Skills • think geographically • master basic geographical enquiry skills • master basic geographical skills e.g. map reading, GIS, field work techniques • master basic competencies, e.g. communication skills, critical thinkingskills and creativity, through the enquiry of geographical issues

6. Objectives of the Curriculum Values and Attitudes • be commit to actions conducive to a better environment and to thesustainability of the world; • develop a sense of belonging to our society and nation, and be willing totake action for the betterment of our society and nation; • be aware of the increasing global interdependence and the importance ofinternational cooperation in handling global issues; • show concern for the people who are less privileged and who are sufferingfrom various types of problems; • develop an understanding and respect for other people, their values, culturesand ways of life.

7. Content Outline Section A : From Hong Kong to the World - Variations in space, people and places 4 core modules • Using Urban Space Wisely – Can we maintain a sustainable urban environment? • Living with Natural Hazards – Are we better equipped than the others? • Tourists – Friends or Foes? • Changing Climate, Changing Environment

8. Section A : From Hong Kong to the World - Variations in space, people and places • Using Urban Space Wisely – Can we maintain a sustainable urban environment? Guiding Questions • How does our city look like? • What problems is our city facing? • How can we solve our problems? Skills • Integrate map reading skills e.g. plans & map, grid reference, longitudes & latitudes, scales • Introduce field work techniques • Use of GIS

9. Section A : From Hong Kong to the World - Variations in space, people and places Using Urban Space Wisely – Can we maintain a sustainable urban environment? Using Urban Space Wisely – Can we maintain a sustainable urban environment?

10. Section A : From Hong Kong to the World - Variations in space, people and places (2)Living with Natural Hazards – Are we better equipped than the others? Guiding Questions • Are we living in a hostile world? • Why do we suffer from strong winds and heavy rain in summer? • Why do our slopes collapse? • How do we prepare for natural hazards? • Why are some people more vulnerable than we are? Skills: Integrate map reading skills e.g. relief maps, cross section, gradient Interpret climatic graphs and satellite images, videos

11. Section A : From Hong Kong to the World - Variations in space, people and places • Living with Natural Hazards – Are we better equipped than the others?

12. Section A : From Hong Kong to the World - Variations in space, people and places • Tourists – Friends or foes? Guiding Questions • Why is our airport so crowded during major holidays? • Are tourists friends or foes to the local people? • Will Hong Kong enjoy the same benefits and face the same challenges? • Can we develop tourism in a more sustainable way? Skills • Use of longitudes & latitudes, grid reference • Find out local time • Conduct simple survey

13. Section A : From Hong Kong to the World - Variations in space, people and places (3)Tourists – Friends or foes?

14. Section A : From Hong Kong to the World - Variations in space, people and places (4) Changing Climate, Changing Environments Guiding Questions • What’s happening to our climate? • What cause our climate to change? • What is happening and will happen? • How can we do? • Skills • Interpret graphs, satellite • images and photos

15. Section A : From Hong Kong to the World - Variations in space, people and places (4) Changing Climate, Changing Environments

16. Section B : From China to the World - Enquiring regional problems arising from human-environment interactions Core (1) Can We Feed Ourselves? (2) Too Much and Too Little! Elective (1) Population Problems - Purely a matter of number? (2) Taming the Sand

17. Section B : From China to the World - Enquiring regional problems arising from human-environment interactions Core: (1) Can We Feed Ourselves? Guiding Questions • Where are the farmlands in China? • Can we produce enough food for our growing population? • How can the problems be solved? • Do the same problems happen in the other parts of the world? Skills • Construct & interpret graphs, charts, • relief maps, climatic maps • Use of GIS

18. Section B : From China to the World - Enquiring regional problems arising from human-environment interactions Core: (1) Can We Feed Ourselves?

19. Section B : From China to the World - Enquiring regional problems arising from human-environment interactions Core: (2) Too Much and Too Little! • Guiding Questions • How do water problems affect us? • From where does water come? • Is the nature to blame? • What can be done to solve the water • problems? • Skills • Use of GIS • Construct cross sections of rivers • Use of statistics Heavy rains in Jiangxi trigger dyke treat (SCMP – 22/6/2010)

20. Section B : From China to the World - Enquiring regional problems arising from human-environment interactions Core: (2) Too Much and Too Little!

21. Section B : From China to the World - Enquiring regional problems arising from human-environment interactions Elective: (1) Population Problems - Purely a matter of number? Guiding Questions • Are theretoo many people in China? • Can China support so many people? • What are the implications with China’s population distribution pattern? • Do other countries suffer from the same problem?

22. Section B : From China to the World - Enquiring regional problems arising from human-environment interactions Skills • Use GIS • Construct and interpret population pyramids • Calculate and interpret growth rates and dependency ratios • Read population and economic data Elective: (1) Population Problems - Purely a matter of number?

23. Section B : From China to the World - Enquiring regional problems arising from human-environment interactions Elective: (1) Population Problems - Purely a matter of number?

24. Section B : From China to the World - Enquiring regional problems arising from human-environment interactions Elective: (2) Taming the Sand Guiding Questions • How does spreading desert dust and sand affect us? • Is the nature to blame? • What can be done to solve the spreading sand problems? Skills • Interpret satellite images • Use of GIS • Compare photos and graphs

25. Section B : From China to the World - Enquiring regional problems arising from human-environment interactions Elective: (2) Taming the Sand

26. Section C: Challenges for our world - Managing global issues in a sustainable way Core (1) Global Shift of Manufacturing Industry - Opportunities and threats (2) Scramble for Energy Elective (1) Facing a Spreading Risk! (2) Oceans in Trouble!

27. Section C: Challenges for our world - Managing global issues in a sustainable way Core: (1) Global Shift of Manufacturing Industry - Opportunities and threats Guiding Questions • Where have our factories gone? • Do other places in the world face the same problem? • What are the pros and cons of the global shift of manufacturing industry? • Can industrial development be appropriate and sustainable?

28. Section C: Challenges for our world - Managing global issues in a sustainable way Core: (1) Global Shift of Manufacturing Industry - Opportunities and threats Skills • Use of statistics and construct graphs • Conduct land use survey and questionnaire survey

29. Section C: Challenges for our world - Managing global issues in a sustainable way Core: (1) Global Shift of Manufacturing Industry - Opportunities and threats

30. Section C: Challenges for our world - Managing global issues in a sustainable way Core: (2) Scramble for Energy Guiding Questions • Why do we have to struggle for energy resources? • What are the other problems with the current energy resources? • What alternatives do we have? • How can future energy demand be met in a more sustainable way?

31. Section C: Challenges for our world - Managing global issues in a sustainable way Core: (2) Scramble for Energy Skills • Summarize arguments • Construct flow maps and bar graphs

32. Section C: Challenges for our world - Managing global issues in a sustainable way Core: (2) Scramble for Energy

33. Section C: Challenges for our world - Managing global issues in a sustainable way Elective: (1) Facing a Spreading Risk! Guiding Questions • Why do so many of us get sick at the same time? • How does the disease spread? • Why do the risk and impact of infectious diseases vary in different places? • Are we safe? If not, what can we do?

34. Section C: Challenges for our world - Managing global issues in a sustainable way Elective: (1) Facing a Spreading Risk! Skills • Interpret maps, climatic graphs and statistics • Use GIS to construct a digital map • Construct a choropleth map

35. Section C: Challenges for our world - Managing global issues in a sustainable way Elective: (1) Facing a Spreading Risk!

36. Section C: Challenges for our world - Managing global issues in a sustainable way Elective: (2) Oceans in Trouble! Guiding Questions • How do the oceans support life on earth? • How do human make use of the oceans? • What are the problems affecting our oceans? • What can be done to save our oceans?

37. Section C: Challenges for our world - Managing global issues in a sustainable way Elective: (2) Oceans in Trouble! Skills • Interpret graphs, charts and statistical data • Record and observe in field • Use internet to search for information

38. Section C: Challenges for our world - Managing global issues in a sustainable way Elective: (2) Oceans in Trouble!

39. Important Points to Note (1) How to maintain the curiosity and interest of students on geographical issues? (2) How to make use of web-based materials and GIS for learning? (3) How to keep geography a popular subject in your school? (4) Is the geography curriculum sustainable?

40. Let’s Work Hand in Hand for the Betterment of Our Society & Our Environment!