Images above: Students at Findon High School in Adelaide collecting data in the field - from within the school grounds to the outback - all fieldwork!
Sites related to GeogSplace
SACE Board of SA
GeogSpace
Spatialworlds blog
Spatialworlds website
Course details on Flo
Australian Curriculum Portal
Geogaction
DECD Learning Resources for Australian Curriculum
DECD Achievement Standards Charts
Australian Geography Teachers' Association website
Geography Teachers Association of South Australia
Scoop.it sites
SACE Board of SA
GeogSpace
Spatialworlds blog
Spatialworlds website
Course details on Flo
Australian Curriculum Portal
Geogaction
DECD Learning Resources for Australian Curriculum
DECD Achievement Standards Charts
Australian Geography Teachers' Association website
Geography Teachers Association of South Australia
Scoop.it sites
Fieldwork: The geographers lab
"Schools should place a renewed focus on
traditional geography field trips to stop pupils being trapped behind computer
screens in the classroom", Michael Palin has warned.
Fieldwork makes geography come to life, puts everything into context.
Field
work is the process of observing and collecting data about people,
cultures, and natural environments. Field work is conducted in “the
wild” of our everyday surroundings rather than in the semi-controlled
environments of a lab or classroom.
One of the hotspots during discussions as the Australian Curriculum: Geography has been developed and written has been the place of fieldwork in
geography. Most geographers see fieldwork as fundamental to good
geographical education and consider that it is fieldwork which makes our
subject unique in the school curriculum. Whilst the discussion is not
on the worth of fieldwork, the issues are about to what extent we can
mandate it and make it an expectation of all who teach geography from
F-12. Issues of inclusivity for all, cost, risk, ability of
non-geography teachers to conduct fieldwork and the time involved (often
in other class time) come into the equation as jurisdictions and
schools consider the mandating of fieldwork for all year levels.
It
is worth noting at this stage that one of the aims of geography stated
in the January 2011 Australian Curriculum: Geography shape paper was:
To
develop students’ ability to ask geographical question, plan an
enquiry, collect and analyse information, (particularly through
fieldwork and spatial technology) ...
However
one notes that the direct mention of fieldwork was removed from the
aims in the October 2011 draft scope and sequence which reads as:
.. that students develop:
the capacity to be competent, critical and creative users of geographical inquiry methods and skills
the capacity to be competent, critical and creative users of geographical inquiry methods and skills
Fieldwork does appear in the Rationale though when it is stated that:
Fieldwork,
the mapping and interpretation of spatial distributions, and the use of
spatial technologies are fundamental geographical skills
If
we are going to see fieldwork embedded in the aims and pedagogical
expectations and in turn mandated, we need to review the nature of
fieldwork, reasons why it is so important and provide a few examples for
consideration. This posting and the next few are dedicated to these
fieldwork considerations. Hopefully they provide useful background for
the writers of the Australian Curriculum: Geography to mandate fieldwork
in our schools, as all classroom geographers desire.
In essence, geographers regard fieldwork as a vital instrument
for understanding our world through direct experience, for gathering
basic data about this world, and as a fundamental method for enacting
geographical education.
This YouTube called “Why is fieldwork important to geography” from our friend in the States, Joseph Kerski, President of American Geographers is a good starting point.
On the issue of the benefits of fieldwork the Royal Geographical Society in the UK says:
Fieldwork
is an important part studying geography. Fieldwork offers a wonderful
way of seeing the world, and a chance for personal development. Doing
fieldwork can make a difference to your life and future career.
They go on to cite the benefits of fieldwork as:
Seeing geography and theories come to life - improving your knowledge of geography and understanding
Developing your skills - givnig you a chance to learn skills such as:• data collection and analysis, map work, observational and investigative skills
• computer and technology skills
• communication and mathematical skills
Appreciating environments – giving you a chance to experience and enjoy a wide range of environments and landscapes
Opinions & views – It helps you to understand other peoples and cultures, and your own views about social, political or environmental issues
Learning, communication, confidence
- you take responsibility for your learning, gaining confidence and
develop skills, such as leadership, teamwork and communication
It’s fun!
At
this stage, before watching the South Australian fieldwork trials which
will be showcased in the next few postings, it is useful to look at the
fieldwork packages and the associated pedagogies on a wide range of fieldwork from the Barcelona Field Studies Centre in Spain. Great case studies!
To support our thinking on the pedagogy of fieldwork, the types and examples from the Field Council site in the UK are also a great resource to review.
As an Australian example of fieldwork here is the GeogStandards project documentation of the work of AGTA’s friend Stephen Cranby in Victoria.
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