Product reviews for Powerful Geography

Powerful Geography is an enjoyable read. It walks you through some relevant, philosophical and theoretical thinking underpinning curriculum development in accessible and engaging ways. Although the book predominantly draws on examples from the secondary phase of education, there is much that is relevant for primary practitioners too.  

The chapters are usefully augmented by short case studies which help illustrate a range of contexts and application across the phases of education. I think that the sequencing of the chapters helps to build a good case for, and greater understanding of, powerful geography; but, at the same time, Mark Enser leaves the reader with enough supported space to develop their own thinking about the purpose and application of disciplinary knowledge.  



Powerful Geography is also about empowering teachers: as curriculum-makers, thinkers, subject experts and, most of all, as teachers who can offer the gift of teaching. The value of signature pedagogies such as enquiry and fieldwork are set out with clear rationales as to how they might be purposefully planned for and enacted within a coherent curriculum. Mark identifies some common pitfalls to avoid too, from badly planned enquiry to the notion that knowledge organisers can save the world, and offers gentle warnings throughout to help guide us through the maze of purposeful curriculum development.