Stage 2 Geography
Assessment Type 1: Fieldwork
Purpose:
In negotiation with your teacher, choose an option topic from the following list for your
Fieldwork:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Urbanisation
Rural places
Tourism
Sources and use of energy
Coasts
Biodiversity
7. Climate change
8. Soils
9. Environmental hazards
10. Globalisation
11. Drylands
12. Negotiated topic.
Note that the selected option topic must differ from that used for the inquiry.
Process:
1. Within the scope of the option topic, narrow and refine the purpose of the research
into a hypothesis or question. The purpose/question/hypothesis should allow you
to use a variety of fieldwork skills and technologies. Local and contemporary issues
provide the most scope for fieldwork.
2. Select, plan, organise, and conduct fieldwork appropriate to the topic.
3. Analyse and evaluate the primary data you have collected. It may be supported by
information from secondary sources, but the main emphasis is on the quality of
fieldwork and the effective integration of field data.
4. Produce a fieldwork report up to a maximum of 1800 words if written or a maximum
of 11 minutes for an oral presentation, or the equivalent in multimodal form.
The individual fieldwork report should include:

a hypothesis or clearly stated purpose

an outline and evaluation of methods used, including planning and
management

comment on geographical concepts, patterns, and processes relevant to the
fieldwork

the integration of evidence of field skills (e.g. maps, photographs, sketches,
graphs, and statistical information)

a summary and interpretation of findings and/or a justified conclusion that:
– outlines possible implications
– suggests realistic possible future actions or makes realistic
recommendations

appropriate acknowledgment of sources.
Page 1 of 2
Stage 2 Geography task for use in 2011
Document1 (revised September 2010)
© SACE Board of South Australia 2010
Performance Standards for Stage 2 Geography
A
Knowledge and
Understanding
Application
Analysis
Evaluation and Reflection
Comprehensive
geographical inquiry,
knowledge, and
understanding.
Proactive and constructive
selection, application, and
evaluation of a variety of
geographical and fieldwork skills
and technologies in a variety of
contexts.
Perceptive and well-informed
analysis of patterns and
processes related to
geographical issues.
In-depth evaluation of the environmental,
social, political, and/or economic
implications of responses to geographical
issues.
Insightful analysis of the complex
interactions between, and
interdependence of, people and
the natural environment, in local,
national, and global contexts.
Perceptive and well-informed evaluation of
conflicting demands and diverse values,
perceptions, and views related to
geographical issues, with well-justified
conclusions.
Highly effective organisation,
integration and communication of
geographical information using
highly appropriate technologies,
forms, terminology, and
acknowledgment of sources.
B
Some depth of
geographical inquiry,
knowledge, and
understanding.
Well-considered selection,
application, and evaluation of
different geographical and
fieldwork skills and technologies
in different contexts.
Effective organisation,
integration, and communication of
geographical information using
appropriate technologies, forms,
terminology, and
acknowledgment of sources.
C
Considered
geographical inquiry,
knowledge, and
understanding.
Considered selection, application,
and evaluation of different
geographical and fieldwork skills
and technologies in different
contexts.
Competent organisation,
integration, and communication,
of geographical information using
mostly appropriate technologies,
forms, terminology, and
acknowledgment of sources.
D
E
Use of some basic
geographical inquiry
skills, with some
awareness and
understanding of
geographical concepts.
Recognition and
attempted use of some
basic geographical
inquiry skills, with
emerging awareness of
some geographical
concepts.
Page 2 of 2
In-depth reflection on sustainability when
examining geographical issues.
Well-informed analysis of
patterns and processes related to
geographical issues.
Thoughtful analysis of the
complex interactions between,
and interdependence of, people
and the natural environment, in
local, national, and global
contexts.
Informed analysis of patterns and
processes related to
geographical issues.
Considered analysis of the
interactions between, and
interdependence of, people and
the natural environment, in local,
national, and global contexts.
Well-considered evaluation of the
environmental, social, political, and/or
economic implications of responses to
geographical issues.
Well-informed evaluation of conflicting
demands and diverse values, perceptions,
and views related to geographical issues,
with justified conclusions.
Well-considered reflection on sustainability
when examining geographical issues.
Considered evaluation of the
environmental, social, political, and/or
economic implications of responses to
geographical issues.
Informed evaluation of conflicting demands
and diverse values, perceptions, and views
related to geographical issues, with
considered conclusions.
Considered reflection on sustainability
when examining geographical issues.
Selection and application of a few
geographical and fieldwork skills
and technologies in one or more
contexts.
Basic consideration and
description of a few patterns and
processes related to
geographical issues.
Recognition and some superficial
consideration of one or more of the
environmental, social, political, and/or
economic implications of responses to
geographical issues.
Some organisation and
communication of aspects of
geographical information using
technologies in one or more
forms and some terminology that
may be appropriate, with limited
acknowledgment of sources.
Superficial consideration of an
aspect or aspects of the
interactions between, and
interdependence of, people and
the natural environment, in one or
more contexts.
Selection and application of one
or more geographical and/or
fieldwork skills and/or
technologies in a familiar context.
Brief or attempted description of
one or more patterns and/or
processes related to a
geographical issue.
Brief or attempted description of the need
to consider environmental, social, political,
or economic implications of responses to
geographical issues.
Emerging skills in organisation or
communication of geographical
information.
Limited recognition and
description of the interactions
between, and interdependence
of, people and the natural
environment.
Limited consideration and brief description
of one or more conflicting demands and
diverse values, perceptions, or views
related to geographical issues.
Basic consideration and description of
conflicting demands and diverse values,
perceptions, and/or views related to
geographical issues.
Superficial reflection that tends towards
description of sustainability in relation to
geographical issues.
Recognition of the need to consider
sustainability issues.
Stage 2 Geography task for use in 2011
Document1 (revised September 2010)
© SACE Board of South Australia 2010