Geomorphology Resource Pack: Upper Wharfedale

Materials for WP school circulation

Pack produced by:

Joe Holden, Chris Keylock and Andy Howard

University of Leeds

Geography Resource Packs

To promote the role of the field trip in geographic learning and teaching

To provide teachers and pupils with up-to-date information on areas of Geography related to AS, A2 and GSCE syllabi (widening access to latest information and thus improving exam performance and student learning)

To provide teachers with ideas and resources for field class activities

To develop a generic and organic tool

Pilot scheme

Focussing on three linked components of physical geography: Hydrology Fluvial processes Glacial processes

Upper Wharfedale field site

What the packs contain

1. Introduction

2. History of geomorphology (especially glacial/hydrology and fluvial processes)

3. Fact sheets

4. Field guide

2. Why include a history? It is apparent that students are not exposed to the

history of geomorphology at AS/A2 level This can cause difficulties when undertaking history

of ideas courses (e.g. thinking plate tectonics was accepted as a concept before past, extensive glaciations)

It may help teachers to contextualise the syllabus. It may help older teachers to see how things have

developed since they did their degree. Hence, this section finishes with a discussion of more contemporary approaches such as remote sensing and mathematical modelling.

3. Fact sheets Glacials and interglacials Ice sheets and ocean circulation Glacier Flow Glaciers, water and sediment Glacial landforms Glacier melt, river flow and historic river channel

change Movement of water to the river channel Hydrographs and water balance Upland management and river flow River channel pattern River flow processes

3. Fact sheets The rationale for these topics was that rivers,

glaciers, hillslope processes and upland management are all pertinent to the A-level syllabus

In addition, all of these are significant for understanding the landscape of upper Wharfedale today

The ordering accounts for the fact that glacial processes provide a context for contemporary processes in upper Wharfedale and tend to be acting at a larger scale. There is then a scale refinement as the pathway of water from the slopes to the channel is followed.

The glacial context for contemporary processes and management strategies

Upland management and river flow

Fluvial processes

3. Fact sheets Fact sheets can be added on all aspects of

Geography and rapidly brought up to date.

Fact sheets highlight latest research at University of Leeds and how this is relevant to school curriculum

Added benefits of: Promoting and raising awareness of University of

Leeds Providing the poorer schools with latest info and

better examples for use in exams/ coursework etc Widening participation in up-to-date understanding

4. Field Guide Route maps Photographs Ideas for field exercises

With information on how to approach the exercise With datasets from the sites from earlier studies

to examine change over time With base tables/ maps and graphs for students

to complete Ideas for class work on return

Distribution and Feedback

Using widening participation funding from the University of Leeds the packs were distributed to 100 target schools in the Leeds area (determined based on records of school performance). We are in the process of distributing the packs to a further 100 schools in a wider area, but within reach of Upper Wharfedale.

Distribution and Feedback

We have received numerous positive comments from schools about the packs.

The pack has been very favourably reviewed by the Geographical Association in their Geography Matters column.

Geography Matters Review “The pack is divided into 3 main sections.

The first comprises a brief but well explained history of Geomorphology as a discipline within Geography. This neatly provides students with the context for their geomorphology studies that are often missing from the regular textbooks.”

“The second section presents the student with well written information sheets on a range of topics within glaciology, hydrology and fluvio-geomorphology.”

Geography Matters Review “The text is well supported by a range of useful

maps, diagrams and photographs.” “The final section offers teachers a wealth of

resources for the execution of fieldwork activities in the study area.”

“This is a very valuable and worthwhile resource for all departments, which study glaciology, hydrology or fluvial processes at A2 level.”

“… other university departments could do well to take note the efforts that have been made here to span the A-level/Higher Education divide.”