GEOGRAPHY STAGE 6

Students learn to:

1. undertake a senior geography project (SGP) by

• selecting and researching a geographical issue which relates to the Preliminary course using active inquiry methodologies

• carrying out the investigation, which may be based in a variety of locations including the environs of the school, college or campus, individually or as a member of a group.

2. investigate geographically by

• formulating a plan and asking geographical questions for active inquiry such as

– what is the extent of the investigation?

– when does the research need to be finished?

– how much time should be allocated to the research each week/month?

• identifying a research focus for the investigation

• organising a plan of investigation

• gathering and processing relevant primary and secondary data

• critically reviewing the plan, the process and the findings of the investigation.

3. communicate geographically by

• defining the purposes and audiences for communicating the findings of the project such as teachers, peers, examiners, parents, carers, community organisations, local libraries, competition adjudicators, media organisations

• reporting the findings of the project through such formats as

– an oral presentation

– a geographical report of 2000 words incorporating maps, diagrams, tables, graphs, and photographs

– an audio-visual display using appropriate information technologies and electronic media

– a pictorial essay.

Students learn about:

• the nature and purpose of geographical inquiry (building on the prior learning as a result of completing the fieldwork task in Geography Stage 5)

• the use of primary data such as field measurements, observations, surveys, interviews, statistics and photographs

• the use of secondary data such as published reports, texts, newspaper editorials, audio-visual productions, graphical and statistical information

• the ethical responsibilities of conducting geographical inquiry

– respecting confidentiality and anonymity

– avoiding use of deception or coercion with informants

– avoiding exposure to physical and/or emotional risks or harm

– obtaining permission and avoiding trespass

– minimising damage to landscapes or environmental elements

– observing academic conventions regarding plagiarism

– storing data appropriately

– acknowledging source materials.