Know the subject and how to teach it: using the GEOGStandards to develop pedagogical practice amongst pre-service teachers during professional experience

A set of teaching standards for the subject of geography was developed by the profession for the profession and intended for use as a reflective tool for professional practice. These GEOGstandards were empirically generated from
the practice of experienced, specialist geography teachers from across Australia. However, little is known about the use and impact of these standards in developing the practice of geography teachers, particularly in the pre-service years. In this paper, we share findings from the first phase of a qualitative, longitudinal reflexive study with five pre-service geography teachers who were
completing their final year of study in an initial teacher education program and preparing to transition into the teaching profession. We argue a sustained approach towards theory–practice reflection, focused on the GEOGstandards and
implemented prior to and during professional experience, enables pre-service geography teachers to effectively discern important aspects of teaching geography, and take action to develop their pedagogical practice.
their pedagogical practice