NSS Geography Curriculum and
Enquiry Learning TRF as an example
Curriculum Development Officer
http://www.emb.gov.hk
Comparison between a conventional lesson and a
lesson using an issues-based approach
(quoted from Stimpson, P. & Tao, P.K., (1994).
Teaching in Hong Kong-Issues-based Teaching. P.16)
1.
2.
Conventional
Factual
understanding
(concepts or skills)
Implications or
application
1.
2.
3.
Issues-based
Issue/problem
Factual
understanding
(concepts or skills)
Explanation or
interpretation of
issue
Issues
NSS Geography
Curriculum Compulsory Part
Problems
The learning & teaching of the issues/problems in
the Compulsory Part






What is the issue/problem about?
What areas of geography will help us to
interpret?
fieldwork & mapwork
generic skills
values & attitudes
…
Interior
=
Exterior
=
What is the
issue/problem
about?
What areas of
Geography will help us
to interpret?
Surprise
=
•Fieldwork
investigation
•Mapwork
•Generic skills
•…
What is the issue/problem about?
Key geographical questions:
 What?
 Where?
 How?
 Why?
 What if?
1
What?
Where?
What areas of Geography
will help us to interpret?





“Ecosystems”
components
characteristics
energy flow
nutrient cycle
Virtual
fieldtrip
Fieldwork
Fieldwork
investigation
Map & Photo
Interpretation
Experiment
2
What is the issue/problem about?
Why?
What areas of Geography
will help us to interpret?


Concepts & knowledge related to
“Agriculture”
Concepts & knowledge related to
“Population”
3
What is the issue/problem about? What is the impact?
Role play
What is the issue/problem about? –
How?
Information
technology
skills
What areas of Geography
will help us to interpret?

Concepts & knowledge related to
“Development”
e.g. Is ‘sustainable development of tropical
rainforests’ a possible way out?
TRF
Suggested References


Stimpson, P. and Tao, P.K., (1994).
Teaching in Hong Kong-Issues-based
Teaching. Hong Kong: Longman Asia
Limited.
Brooks, C., (2003). Investigating the
geography behind the news, in Teaching
Geography, Vol.28, No.2, P.70-73.

Geography in the News
http://www.geographyinthenews.rgs.org