Interactions
Syllabus outcomes
Students:
describe the interactions between the four components which define the biophysical environment (P2)
explain how a specific environment functions in terms of biophysical factors (P3)
identify the vocational relevance of a geographical perspective (P6)
select, organise and analyse relevant geographical information from a variety of sources (P8)
communicate geographical information, ideas and issues using appropriate written and/or oral, cartographic and graphic forms (P12)
Assessment
Students complete:
A fieldwork report
Overview
Post fieldwork activities provide students to access and incorporate secondary sources to further analyse data. Conclusions can then be made and findings are communicated using geographical tools.
Post investigation reflections are an important step of the inquiry to improve future investigations and to take action to improve environmental, economic and social outcomes.
Step 5 – Communicate geographical findings
Step 6 – Critically reflect on the findings of the investigation and the effectiveness of the inquiry.
The following activities offer students tools for evaluation, communication and reflection.
Step 5 - Communicating your findings
A fieldwork report
Land managers need to be informed about the natural functioning of environments and be alerted to any problems or issues that may arise through human interactions.
Geographers through their knowledge of biophysical interactions and skills in fieldwork investigation and data analysis are able to support and advise land managers on an appropriate plan of management. This advice is represented in fieldwork reports and presentations and includes multiple geographical tools including maps utilising GIS technologies, graphs and statistics and visual representations including photography and sketching.
Create an interactive presentation that could be presented to City of Ryde that clearly represents the findings and conclusions made during fieldwork at Field of Mars Reserve.
Incorporate geographic tools:
visual representations including photos, 360º imagery, profile sketches, soil profile images, flow charts and sketches
graphs and statistics such as charts, tables and graphs
different types of maps such as synoptic maps, sketch maps, satellite imagery and GIS mapping
create an annotated virtual tour using 360º images and Google Tour Creator.
Step 6 - Evaluate and reflect
Fieldwork inquiry questions
How effective was the investigation in answering the 5 fieldwork inquiry questions?
What is the nature of the Field of Mars Reserve?
What are the biophysical interactions which influence the environment at the Field of Mars Reserve?
How do human actions impact the functioning of the lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere at the Field of Mars Reserve?
What actions are appropriate for the sustainable management of the environments of the Field of Mars Reserve?
How do we formulate a plan for active geographical inquiry in the field?
Evaluate and reflect on your findings
Once conclusions have been drawn assess the effectiveness of the investigation to improve your skills in conducting fieldwork investigations.
Did you learn what you needed to learn?
What other questions could have been asked?
What other methods could have been used during fieldwork?
How similar or dissimilar are the issues/problems in Field of Mars Reserve to the issues/problems in your local environment?
How would you go about finding this out?
What can individuals do to reduce negative human impacts on environments such as those in Field of Mars Reserve?