Coursework: Independent Investigation 5 days

Transcription

1 A Level Geography Eduqas Coursework: Independent Investigation 5 days Complete the four days fieldwork required for A level Independent Investigation. This is for students who have not done the AS fieldwork (and therefore will need to complete four days) OR who would like time to become familiar with the location and surrounding area before independently deciding on their individual investigation. This course offers investigations on a range of areas within the specification, not just the AS themes. Enables students to develop and undertake their Independent Investigation worth 20% of the A level marks.

2 Example Course Timetable DAY MORNING AFTERNOON EVENING 1 Arrive Midday Students will be greeted by FSC staff, with a welcome talk followed by a brief tour of the Centre and the local area. Introduction to the Fieldwork NEA Outline of the Course Allocation of wellies/waterproofs. Students will visit a local field site which will provide the backdrop to explore how to ask geographical questions, design sampling strategies and build research proposals. This session will also set the scene for the rest of the course, as students are introduced to an outline of the stages of an investigation and mark scheme, including the expectations relating to independence and teacher guidance. Research Workshop During this workshop students will be introduced to a wide range of potential secondary data sources and information. They will explore how secondary research can be used to justify a research aim, question or hypothesis. In addition students will be given the opportunity to explore online and hard copy resources containing primary data collection and sampling techniques. 2 Fieldwork Environment (1) During this session students will visit a selection of local contrasting physical environments and explore the possible fieldwork locations and themes that could arise. Students will be introduced to a range of possible fieldwork methods and data collection techniques and will discuss possible ideas for geographical research questions. Students will also discuss what makes a good or valuable primary data and develop their understanding of how to select a fieldwork technique. Data Presentation Workshop Focusing on GIS as well as traditional presentation methods students will be introduced to a selection of possible methods that they may wish to incorporate within their research project. Statistics Workshop During this evening session, students will be introduced to a selection of possible statistical techniques and explore how these can be useful in a research project. 3 Fieldwork Environment (2) Building on yesterday s introduction, students will visit a selection of different environments, focusing more on a human theme. Students will be introduced to a range of possible fieldwork methods and data collection techniques and will discuss possible ideas for geographical research questions. Students will also discuss what makes a good or valuable primary data and develop their understanding of how to select a fieldwork technique. Independent Titles and Secondary Research During this evening session, students will independently finalise the draft titles of their investigation. Teachers will have the opportunity to confirm that students titles have the potential to meet the assessment criteria and provide any general guidance necessary. Students will develop their justification and contextualisation of how their enquiry will help them answer their title. In addition, using FSC databases and research facilities, students will independently select any secondary data sources they may require. 4 Methodology and Sampling Planning During this session students will plan and select their methodologies and sampling strategies, collaborating in groups if needed, to plan how they will collect the primary field data they need. Primary Data Collection Students will spend the day in their chosen location collecting the data they require, they may work individually or in groups, supervised by FSC and school staff. Primary Data Collation During this evening session students will ensure that they have a personal set of the data required for their project, to ensure that they can move on the presentation stage of the investigation independently. Supporting ICT and GIS packages will be available for students to use if needed. 5 Independent Data Presentation and Secondary Research During this session, students will work independently on the next aspect of their research project. Some students will want to continue with some secondary or primary research, while others may want to start to present their data. FSC staff will provide technical support on the research databases, GIS and ICT that students may need to use. Depart at Midday A final farewell from FSC staff as the students depart at midday. Please note: to ensure safe and quality learning experiences for students, the timetable may alter depending on weather conditions and local factors at Centres.

3 Introduction to the Fieldwork NEA Students will visit a local field site which will provide the backdrop to explore how to ask geographical questions, design sampling strategies and build research proposals. This session will also set the scene for the rest of the course, as students are introduced to an outline of the stages of an investigation and mark scheme, including the expectations relating to independence and teacher guidance. Students will be introduced to the fieldwork skills section of the specification through a hands-on local field trip. They will explore the enquiry process through-out its stages. Students will work through a focused local investigation to review and revise the fieldwork skills needed to develop their own later in the course. This session will be designed around the expertise of the students, their progression from AS or GCSE and any particular needs of the group, to ensure that they are ready to progress effectively through-out the rest of the field course. Students will: Consider a range of possible enquiry questions and/or hypotheses. Collect a selection of data to build a broad familiarisation with the environment. Be introduced to wide range of professional field surveying equipment, including digital technologies.

4 Research Workshop During this workshop students will be introduced to a wide range of potential secondary data sources and information. They will explore how secondary research can be used to justify a research aim, question or hypothesis. In addition students will be given the opportunity to explore online and hard copy resources containing primary data collection and sampling techniques. In this workshop, students will begin to consider what literature research is and how to conduct research that defines and contextualises an investigation. FSC field teachers will support and assist students to begin to undertake their own individual literature research relating to the possible location and area of study chosen for the independent investigation, this will help them begin to identify aims, questions and/or hypotheses within a broad context. They may also: Contextualise the area of study within the context of the wider geographical thinking. Develop critical opinions of the area of study and location, based on research. Identify secondary data sources which may develop the robustness of the individual investigation. Identify gaps in understanding relating to the location or area of study. Interpret information, explaining the relevance of different sources of information. Start to develop arguments and synthesis of current information.

5 Fieldwork Environment (1) During this session students will visit a selection of local contrasting physical environments and explore the possible fieldwork locations and themes that could arise. Students will be introduced to a range of possible fieldwork methods and data collection techniques and will discuss possible ideas for geographical research questions. Students will also discuss what makes a good or valuable primary data and develop their understanding of how to select a fieldwork technique. Popular areas of study include specification links: 2.1 Component 1 SECTION A - Changing Landscapes 1.1: Coastal Landscapes The operation of the coast as a system Temporal variations and their influence on coastal environments Landforms and landscape systems, their distinctive features and distribution Factors affecting coastal processes and landforms Processes of coastal weathering, mass movement, erosion and the characteristics and formation of associated landforms and landscapes Processes of coastal transport and deposition and the characteristics and the formation of associated landforms and landscapes Aeolian, fluvial and biotic processes, the characteristics and the formation of landforms in coastal environments Variations in coastal processes, coastal landforms and landscapes over different time scales Coastal processes are a vital context for human activity The impact of human activity on coastal landscape systems 1.2: Glaciated Landscapes The operation of a glacier as a system Processes of glacial weathering, erosion and the characteristics and the formation of associated landforms and landscapes Processes of glacial and fluvioglacial transport and glacial and fluvioglacial deposition and the characteristics and the formation of associated landforms and landscapes Periglacial processes and the formation of associated features Glacial processes are a vital context for human activity 2.2 Component 2 SECTION A - Global Systems 2.1: Water and Carbon Cycles Catchment hydrology the drainage basin as a system Temporal variations in river discharge Precipitation and excess runoff within the water cycle Deficit within the water cycle Carbon stores in different biomes Changing carbon stores in peatlands over time Links between the water and carbon cycles Feedback within and between the carbon and water cycles 2.3 Component 3 SECTION B - Contemporary Themes in Geography 3.2: Ecosystems The value and distribution of ecosystems The structure and functioning of ecosystems Biodiversity under threat Conserving biodiversity Ecosystems at a local scale 3.5: Weather and Climate Climate and weather of the UK Extreme weather events Impacts and management of climatic hazards Impacts of human activities on the atmosphere at local and regional scales People, climate and the future

6 Data Presentation Workshop Focusing on GIS as well as traditional presentation methods students will be introduced to a selection of possible methods that they may wish to incorporate within their research project. In this session students will be introduced to a range of data presentation and building on the day s fieldwork. FSC field tutors will develop students original presentation ideas and enhance these in light of their acquired location and data knowledge. Students may: Review known data presentation techniques and research others. Identify which data can be appropriately presented in basic and simple ways. Identify which data sets would be more appropriately combined or presented more sophisticatedly. Use digital technologies to present and start to set-up representations for further analysis.

7 Statistics Workshop During this evening session, students will be introduced to a selection of possible statistical techniques and explore how these can be useful in a research project. FSC teaching staff will run workshops on statistical analysis or significance testing, linking to the field sites visited during the day and provide students with FSC past data sets and model non-numerical analysis techniques. Students will: Start to understand how to develop conclusions linked to their aims and questions. Build ideas about how researching more secondary data can provide depth to the conclusions. Extend their geographical understanding by using FSC research and data facilities. Start to understand how to evaluate the success of the investigation, looking at the reliability of the data sources and collection methods. Present and analyse digital data using Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

8 Fieldwork Environment (2) Building on yesterday s introduction, students will visit a selection of different environments, focusing more on a human theme. Students will be introduced to a range of possible fieldwork methods and data collection techniques and will discuss possible ideas for geographical research questions. Students will also discuss what makes a good or valuable primary data and develop their understanding of how to select a fieldwork technique. Popular areas of study include specification links: 2.1 Component 1 SECTION B - Changing Places 1.3: Changing Places Changing place; changing places relationships and connections Changing place; changing places meaning and representation Changes over time in the economic characteristics of places Economic change and social inequalities in deindustrialised urban places The service economy (tertiary) and its social and economic impacts The 21st century knowledge economy (quaternary) and its social and economic impacts The rebranding process and players in rural places Rural management and the challenges of continuity and change The rebranding process and players in urban places Urban management and the challenges of continuity and change 2.2 Component 2 SECTION B - Global Governance: Change and Challenges 2.2: Global Governance: Change and Challenges to : Global Governance of the Earth s Oceans Managing marine environments Managing ocean pollution

9 Independent Titles and Secondary Research During this evening session, students will independently finalise the draft titles of their investigation. Teachers will have the opportunity to confirm that student s titles have the potential to meet the assessment criteria and provide any general guidance necessary. Students will develop their justification and contextualisation of how their enquiry will help them answer their title. In addition, using FSC data bases and research facilities, students will independently select any secondary data sources they may require. In this session students will develop and design their own independent investigation. They will define their aim, questions and/or hypotheses relating to a section of the specification content and begin to explore the relevant research literature which gives the context for the investigation. During this session they will also: Sketch out an investigation plan to address the geographical aims of the investigation. Define the geographical topic or issue which underpins the investigation. Refine their knowledge and representation of the research location using geo-spatial techniques.

10 Methodology and Sampling Planning During this session students will plan and select their methodologies and sampling strategies, collaborating in groups if needed, to plan how they will collect the primary field data they need. Students will: Develop a data design framework, consisting of sampling strategy, frequency, range and location choice of primary field data. Plan for appropriate data presentation and statistical techniques. Develop justifications for their proposed qualitative and quantitative data methodologies, including understanding of any appropriate ethic and social-political dimensions. Prepare any fieldwork equipment needed including digital technologies.

11 Primary Data Collection Students will spend the day in their chosen location collecting the data they require, they may work individually or in groups, supervised by FSC and school staff. During this day students will work individually or within groups, as appropriate, to collect initial primary field data. Students will have opportunity to: Observe and record phenomena and data variables according to their data design framework. Demonstrate their practical knowledge and skill in handing data collection technologies and equipment. Build their understanding of the concepts underlying and processes operating within the real world environment.

12 Primary Data Collation During this evening session students will ensure that they have a personal set of the data required for their project, to ensure that they can move on the presentation stage of the investigation independently. Supporting ICT and GIS packages will be available for students to use if needed. Students will have the opportunity to ensure they have a full set of the data they require for their study. They will use FSC databases to search for location specific background data to support their study as well as external secondary data sets.

13 Independent Data Presentation and Secondary Research During this session, students will work independently on the next aspect of their research project. Some students will want to continue with some secondary research, while others may want to start to present their data. FSC staff will provide technical support on the research databases, GIS and ICT that students may need to use. In this final session of the course, students will be supported to start their data analysis. Students will: Start to develop and draw conclusions linked to their aims and questions. Research more secondary data, to provide depth to the conclusions. Extend their geographical understanding by using FSC research and data facilities. Produce extended writing linking aspects of the investigation into a report structure. Start to evaluate the success of the investigation, looking at the reliability of the data sources and collection methods. Present and analyse digital data using Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

14 FSC Centres Centres that offer this course Changing Landscapes: Coastal Landscapes Changing Landscapes: Glaciated Landscapes Changing Places BL Blencathra P P CH Castle Head P P P DF Dale Fort P P FM Flatford Mill P P JH Juniper Hall P P MA Margam P P P MT Malham Tarn P P P NC Nettlecombe P P OR Orielton P P PM Preston Montford P P RC Rhyd-y-creuau P P P SL Slapton P P Please contact us for more information about specific topics and their availability at Centres. To book this course, simply: Choose the time of the year you would like to attend 1. Pick the Centre(s) of interest 2. Check availability online, contact head office to check availability across multiple Centres or contact the Centre(s) of your choice directly To book this course the minimum size of your group must be 12 students and one member of staff. Head Office contact details: Tel: enquiries@field-studies-council.org