CONT795: Intermediate Geography
This course is designed for certified teachers seeking to deepen their expertise in teaching Geography at the Intermediate level (Grades 7 - 9). You will critically explore key topics in physical and human geography, including climate systems, landforms, population dynamics, urbanization, and sustainability.
The course emphasizes the integration of Indigenous perspectives, environmental stewardship, and spatial technologies such as geographic information systems (GIS) into classroom practice.
Through collaborative learning, reflective practice, and practical application, you will enhance your ability to promote geographic thinking, support diverse learners, and create inclusive, engaging learning environments. The course also fosters leadership development in curriculum planning, assessment, and interdisciplinary teaching.
Learning Outcomes
What You Will Learn and Do
In this course, you will have the opportunity to
- engage with other geographic educators to expand your knowledge of geographic thinking and teaching
- critically examine how your personal and professional identities—shaped by cultural, social, and historical factors—influence your values, beliefs, and interactions in educational settings, and develop responsive, equity-focused practices that honour the diverse identities, experiences, and needs of your students
- learn to design and implement universal design for learning (UDL) lessons with geographic inquiry processes in mind (formulating questions, gathering and interpreting data, drawing conclusions, and communicating findings) to deepen student understanding of spatial relationships, environmental issues, and global interdependence
- gain the knowledge and skills to meaningfully incorporate Indigenous knowledge systems, land-based learning, and culturally responsive pedagogy to foster inclusive, respectful, and relevant learning experiences in Geography
- explore and apply tools such as GIS, interactive maps, and data visualization platforms to support inquiry-based learning and develop students’ spatial awareness and critical thinking
Assessments
Module 1
Who Am I in Relation to the Students I Teach?
Module 2
The Geographer’s Toolkit
Progress Update 1
Module 3
Culturally Responsive Teaching and UDL
Module 4
Diverse Perspectives and Indigenous Connections and Communities
Progress Update 2
Module 5
Sustainability and Indigenous Knowledge
Module 6
Geography in Action/Geotechnologies
Progress Update 3
Module 7
Culminating Thoughts
Final Report