Channel Deepening - Level 6 Sample Unit

Introduction

In Channel deepening students learn about the points of view of various stakeholders/interest groups about the controversial issue of the deepening of shipping channels in Port Phillip Bay.

As part of a team, they research one stakeholder’s point of view and prepare a presentation for a small group comprising students who have each researched a different stakeholder's view.

After considering all perspectives, they prepare a final report which explains outcomes associated with intervention in a natural system and expresses a personal view.

They also reflect on how they worked in the team and how their opinions may have changed during the unit.

Suggested duration: 10 hours

For further information see the Teaching, learning and assessment activities section.

Assessment

This unit provides opportunities for students to demonstrate achievement of elements of Level 6 standards in Interpersonal Development, The Humanities – Geography and Thinking Processes.

It will also help teachers identify ways in which the Level 6 standards support students to develop facets of employability skills.

For further information see the VELS and employability skills section.

Students are assessed on their ability to:

accurately interpret map information and use this to support explanations
work effectively in a team to collect information
explain and evaluate possible outcomes of intervention in a natural system
reflect on how their point of view on an issue has developed and/or changed.

For further information see the Assessment section.

Teachers may wish to modify this unit and its tasks to address other contemporary issues around intervention in a natural system or include standards from different domains or facets of different employability skills.

Acknowledgments

The VCAA acknowledges teachers from the Catholic Regional College Melton, Doncaster Secondary College and Melbourne High School who contributed ideas or materials that helped shape this unit.

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Channel deepening (PDF - 182KB)