Two Axes for the Analysis of ‘Commonsense’ and ‘Formal’ Geographical Knowledge in Classroom Talk

Abstract

Teaching and learning the various aspects of a school discipline's contents (its ‘subject knowledge') are obviously part of the main agenda for high schools. While a vast body of material exists on curriculum contents, on pedagogic techniques for their dissemination and on the psychology of learning, very little attention has been paid to actual sites of learning in relation to the production of knowledge and its acquisition. This is especially so regarding the discursive practices which are the main means of teaching and learning in those places.