The student teachers:

understand the aims, values and objectives of teaching Geography in schools. Get acquainted with the importance of Geography as a subject and its relationship with other subjects

Identify the principles for instruction

Compare various instructional approaches

Assimilate various theories that lead to modern methods of teaching Geography.

Acquire the knowledge required for instructional strategies and models of teaching Geography.

1. Nature and scope of Geography as a school subject

2 Modern concept of Geography; Geography as a science; Geography and human life.

(i) Values of teaching Geography in schools - moral, aesthetic, utilitarian, intellectual.

(ii) Instructional objectives and specifications of teaching Geography in schools (NCERT) with special reference to Bloom's Taxonomy.

(iii) The special role played by Geography in the inculcation of: National integration and International understanding.

1. Correlation and fusion as pedagogical principles with special reference to Geography

2. Correlation of Geography with different subjects as well as life.

1. General principles related to instruction - Individual differences – Motivation – Gradation - Understanding

2. Instructional approaches - a. Stress on process rather than product - b. Inductive- Deductive approach in generalising concepts, principles and processes related to Geography. c. Multimedia approach d. Multi-methodology approach.

Cognitive and Non-cognitive learning theories - Ausubel's meaningful verbal learning - Inquiry training - Gagne's hierarchical learning - Student-centred learning - Problem-based learning - Guided discovery learning, Guided inquiry training –exploratory and investigatory. - Group dynamics -engaging students in activities - small group and large group. - Learning by interaction

Reflective learning - Apprenticeship model of learning.

1. Strategies of teaching Geography - Team teaching - Programmed instruction - Computer-assisted instruction.

2. Models of teaching - Introduction to models of teaching - Models specially suitable for Geography instruction

(i)Advance organizer model
(ii) The Jurisprudential model

The student teachers:

Get acquainted with various approaches of constructing curriculum for Geography.
Get acquainted with modern instructional methods of teaching Geography.
Ealuate modern electronic resources for the practice of instructional strategies.
Acquire mastery over development and use of tools of evaluation and interpretation of test scores.
Develop the ability for organizing and conducting co-curricular activities related to Geography education.
Get acquainted with modern methods of evaluation with special reference to Geography education.

a. Concentric and spiral plan

b. Topical and type plans

A critical study of the existing curriculum of secondary school Geography in the Kerala State.

Curriculum transaction - Traditional strategies of instruction - Modern strategies of instruction - Strategies based on cognitive theories - Guided inquiry method - Investigatory method - Exploratory method - Trekking method of learning - Problem-solving approach - Learning by apprenticeship Unit III

Application of information technology in Geography education. - Cyber aids, virtual library, and digital library. - Internet access and diffusion of knowledge

Resources for the teaching of Geography - Print - textbook -criteria of a good textbook in Geography, Teachers' Manual, workbooks, reference materials - Characteristics and uses. - Aural - teacher's speech, Radio broadcast and audio tape. - Non-projected visuals: Objects, models, maps, charts, poster, graphs, relief maps. - Projected visuals - slide, transparency, films, filmstrips, videotape, VCD - preparation and use - ETV programmes, countrywide classroom project and satellite instruction (Internet). - Use of school museum, bulletin board, OHP, slide projector, library.

Geography club - Fairs, festivals and exhibitions - Field trips.

Modern trends in evaluation - Traditional system-its defects and suggestions for improvement - Different types of questions - objective, short answer and essay - merits and demerits - suggestions for improvement. - Criteria of a good test - validity, reliability, objectivity, usability, and practicability. - Construction of an achievement test - test design, preparation of blueprint, scoring key, marking scheme, item analysis, and question bank. - Diagnostic test, remedial teaching, internal assessment, grading. - Ways of interpretation of test results.

Preparation of a Practical Works Record with the following items:

Day and night, Phases of the Moon, Determination of latitudes from the altitude of the Sun, Seasons, Spring tide and Neap tide

The Geography group shall function as the meteorological section of the college and exhibit daily weather chart.

Preparation of a Resource Unit on any one unit included in the secondary school Geography Syllabus.