DISCUSSION: GCSE Case Studies - Is the 30 year rule valid?

When teaching GCSE geography, each year without fail, colleagues and I discuss the relevance of case studies and if recent events would be better. This discussion normally revolves around physical topics such as flooding or a volcanic eruption. The 'unwritten' rule has always been that after 30 years, a case study ceases to be relevant and becomes 'out of date'. On May 18th 2010, the 'validity' and 'relevance' of the Mt St Helens eruption expired, assigned to the history books as just another eruption. With the passing of such a notorious case study, is it time to consider ignoring this 30 year rule? What other case studies have been forgotten, but actually provide excellent insight and are just a relevant today as they once were?

For anyone reading this, I would like to point out that this is my first blog. I apologise (but I wont mean it) if I dont follow etiquette or post something incorrectly - i'm new to this, and intend to develop over time.

Geography case studies have always been crucial for the understanding of theory. Applying the theory to real life situations allows students to fully develop their understanding of the topic, and also using the correct case study in the correct context allows teachers/examiners to properly assess a students appreciation and understanding. Logically, the more up-to-date case studies are relevant, they are fresh in the memories of people and more likely, in the digital age in which we live - they are going to have a much wider range of materials that teachers can use (the youtube generation has really allowed students to get a first hand account of events). However, it could be argued that case studies older than 30 years have just as much value in regards to specific detail.

Let me outline why case studies are so importnat in the teaching and learning of geography. They allow students to understand cause, effect and response. What has caused this event - was it a natural occurance (physical) or human related? How has it impacted people (social and economic) and the environment? Are the impacts felt only in the short term, or over a long period of time? How have authorities responded to the event and what are their future plans. These questions can be applied to any case study, regardless of when they happened.

A few examples that i can think of that break the rule are; The eruption of Vesuvius in 79ad and the subsequent destruction of Pompeii (admittedly this isnt an ideal case study, but it is such an inspirational story). The North Sea flood of 1953, The flooding of Lynmouth in 1952, Mt St Helens in 1980, the fuel crisis of the 70s - the list goes on, and i'm sure I have missed many.

You might disagree, you might think that these examples are out of date and todays students have no way to relate to them but I think by looking back, and comparing these events with more modern examples we can identify patterns that will hopefully ingrain into students memories the key details that will help them show key understanding. It should not be about learning case studies by rote, how many people died, how much did the clean up cost in £millions - this doesnt develop a geographical mind.

AW