DER Laptop Projects ShowcaseBega High School and Bournda Environmental Education
Centre
STAGE 5 GEOGRAPHY 5A3 Issues in Australian Environments
Developed by Bournda EEC, based on a resource developed byLorraine Chaffer
What is this topic about?
Geography research action plan (RAP) focusing on Dolphin Cove(Tura Beach) and Bournda National Park on the South Coast of NSW
The topic covers the Stage 5 Geography Syllabus, Focus Area 5A3: Issues in Australian Environments, Management of Coastal Issues
The focus issue is management of a coastal environment.
Project Activities
Planning the unit with staff and training in Google Earth for staff
Classroom Activities – Coastal Management, introduction to RAP, using Google Earth, fieldwork outline, multimedia presentation
Fieldwork at Dolphin Cove, Bournda National Park
Enrichment Day with selected students
Competition
Evaluation
SequenceDate Activities/Details
31 May 2011Term 2
Planning Day
23 June 2011Term 2
Teacher Training Day
27 Jun-1 July Introduction (Week 1-2)
26 July28 July1 Aug5 Aug
Fieldwork (Week 3)
8-12 Aug RAP DevelopmentComputer Lab “ICT” Sessions (Week 4-5)
9 Aug ICT Extension (1 day) followed by competition
23 Aug Evaluation (Week 6)
How is each area managed? What management strategies can you find evidence of?
What are the issues?
MAKING CONNECTIONS –HUMAN IMPACTS ON THE COASTAL ENVIRONMENT
Brainstorm-think!!Urban areas Coastal Reserve
(Council land between houses and beach)
National Park
What issues can you think of?
Eg. Sewerage Car access Dogs
Processes Eutrophication, pollution
Erosion Threats to native animals
Management strategies
Pumps, treatment Barriers to car access
Fines, enforcement, education
Groups involved, stakeholders
BVSCouncil, residents
BVSCouncil, visitors
NPWS, dog owners, BVSC
Complete this brainstorming activity – what issues can you think of?
RAP and FieldworkThe task involved Developing a research action
plan.
Gathering primary data on coastal management issues in the field including notes, digital photographs, video.
Completing your fieldwork notebook and fieldwork tasks like using GPS and drawing vegetation profiles.
Students working in the field aka fieldwork
Using GPS
Using Geospatial technologies
“Augmented reality”
Using computers to layer map information for digital storage, analysis and manipulation.
Use GIS to “augment” reality
Using Google EarthA GIS can be a useful tool for exploring our environment. Google Earth was used to
explore the study area before fieldwork and as a platform for a multimedia presentation of the student research action plan.
Google Earth view of Dolphin Cove showing catchment boundary and creeks
Adding Content
What can you add?
Built in content Imagery
(inc.historical) Databases
Add your own: Placemarks Overlays Polygon Path Record a tour
Measure Ruler
Explore Street view
Use these resources and tools to develop your own content by adding:
Text Images Image overlay Audio Video Hyperlinks Html GPS data
Some useful tips
Keep places folder empty – save to another location
Organise data files logically
Close Google featured content layers
Image files – no spaces in file name
Keep images small DER laptops – handling
windows can be a problem (use F11- full screen key)
Set options Develop content on
machines that it is going to be used on
DER Version is 5.2.1(on mine anyway!)
Save regularly Use Revert
button
RAP ChallengeQuestion Clues from a Tourist’s DiaryWhat is a RAP? In Bega and found a cool place to go for a swim – it was a hot day.Step 1 We were taking a photo and someone said, "Cheese", and you know what, that
was just right for this spot.Step 2 Headed to Tathra Beach -it looks like there was a big flood through here recently.
Funny name too!Step 3 Got to Tathra Beach. Fantastic.Step 4 We had to pick up a mate from the Airport. Stopped on a bridge nearbyStep 5 Decided it was too nice a day to be indoors so we went fishing at Wallagoot LakeStep 6 Fancied a punt so went to the nearest racecourseStep 7 Did my dough on the Gee Gees and needed to go fishing again to catch some
dinner. Drove south from the racecourse along Sapphire Coast Drive towards Merimbula. Stopped at the tip to get rid of some rubbish – my betting tickets
Step 8 Wanted to see some dolphins and someone suggested Dolphin Cove. “How do I get there”, I asked. Some locals told me to look out for a great big purple pin on the beach.
Enrichment Day
Data collected during fieldwork was used to prepare a multimedia presentation using Google Earth.
The Competition!
Evaluation
Evaluation data indicated positive outcomes for teachers and students
All reported they were more confident about using the DER laptops
100% of the teachers reported that they thought the DER laptop component effectively supported the fieldwork
83% of students reported that they felt that Google Earth could help them learn Geography
83% reported that they would like to do more activities with Google Earth
Support materials and instructions need to be improved to reduce dependency on specialist support
Future Directions
Improved teaching materials
Improved instructions for teachers and students
More effective integration of teaching and learning materials into Google Earth
More time? Improvements to
Google Earth?
So in Summary!
Learn how to drive GE Come up with
engaging contexts Add content (and get
data from other sources)
Customise content
Save your Work!Make interesting presentations (eg. Tours)Manage your files (outside GE)Develop structured resources that cater for pre-visit and post-visit for Geog fieldwork
Keep it real...but augment it with Google Earth!
Acknowledgements• Sharon Champagne for project coordination at the
school level and making it work!• Phil Lord (TSO Bega HS) for technical support.• Kath Miller, Head Teacher for organisation of the
numerous fieldwork and project dates!• Bega HS teachers for their positive attitude in trying
new technology and materials• Bega HS Year 10 students for their enthusiasm and
application to fieldwork and computer tasks
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