The Humanities – Geography Assessment Map – Sample at Level 5
For Level 3, please see The Humanities Assessment map.
Antarctica
Context
Students focused on the study of Antarctica allowing them to demonstrate understanding of environmental issues and to propose ways of ensuring the sustainability of the resource. Students were asked to investigate a theme within the riches of Antarctica, selecting from wildlife, tourism and mining and prepare a report. This sample is about tourism – identifying the growth in number of tourists to the region and the regulations that are in place to control the impact of tourists to ensure the sustainability of the resource for generations of the future. The report was expected to include statistics and graphs of visitor numbers, outline the regulations that are in place for tourists when in the region, and discuss strategies for the sustainability of the resource. Students worked individually to complete the report.
The elements of the Geographic knowledge and understanding standard addressed by the task are:
Students demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of the regions … and those surrounding it: … Antarctica.
They demonstrate understanding of environmental issues based on inquiry and propose ways of ensuring the sustainability of resources.
The element of the Geospatial skills standard addressed by the task is:
Students collect geographic information from electronic and print media, and analyse, evaluate and present it using a range of forms …
Students were provided with a task outline and advice on how to begin their research. In addition, the following table was provided to help students organise their information.
| Content |
How to present it |
| Is tourism in Antarctica increasing? |
Use a table and/or graph of statistics to show changing tourist numbers to Antarctica.
Written explanation – at least 100 words – use quantification to relate ideas to the data provided. |
| Is tourism regulated? |
Written explanation – at least 60 words. |
| What are the restrictions on tourists in Antarctica? |
Make a list of the restrictions placed on tourists while at Antarctica.
Provide an explanation with each point as to why the restriction is necessary. |
| How sustainable is tourism? |
Written explanation – at least 80 words. An understanding of the term ‘sustainability’ should be evident. |
Sample
The following sample illustrates the kind of response that students produce when they have achieved the elements of the standard addressed by this task.
View text version.
Geographical knowledge and understanding – Level 5
A. Indicates the reasons tourists visit Antarctica.
A. Provides a study of the change over time of tourist numbers.
B. Describes various regulations and policies in place to cater for the increasing number of tourists visiting Antarctica.
C. Provides an opinion that recognises the environmental impact people have on Antarctica and its sustainability as a unique environment.
Element of the standard
(Students) demonstrate understanding of environmental issues based on inquiry and propose ways of ensuring the sustainability of resources.
Geospatial skills – Level 5
A. Utilises statistical data to show the changing number of visitors to the Antarctic region.
B–C. Provides geographic information from a range of sources, including the Internet and print media, on regulations and policies in place to sustain the Antarctic environment.
Element of the standard
At Level 5, students collect geographic information from electronic and print media, and analyse, evaluate and present it using a range of forms …
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