Fieldwork...

1
Fieldwork... Does it have a future?
2
How import is fieldwork to Geography?
When asked what makes your subject special, by
far the most common response amongst Geographers
was fieldwork. When we think back to our own
geographical learning its those days battling
the elements and the walls of mud which really
standout!
Ofsted describes fieldwork as essential
Geography specific inspections have highlighted
successful fieldwork programmes as a must have
component of a good / excellent department. In
fact, one of the key reasons for Ofsteds recent
criticism of modern Geography is their perception
of a lack of out-of-class learning opportunities.

The Government also views fieldwork as an
essential component of Geography. The New
Curriculum lists out-of-class learning as an
essential skill needed for pupil progress and
includes fieldwork as one of four key learning
processes.
3
If we value fieldwork so much are we doing
enough? Did Ofsted have a point!?!
Barriers to fieldwork Preparation time Timetable
restrictions (demands of other subjects) Risk
assessment concerns Appropriate
training Finance Pupil apathy Curriculum /
syllabus content demands
4
How can we Overcome these Barriers ?
The new curriculum has led to greater
flexibility, reduced content and a greater
emphasis on out-of-class learning not forgetting
the push of cross-curricular events (surely these
are a great opportunity to incorporate field
based learning into our PoS!).
Does fieldwork always have to be a big event
time off lessons, long coach journeys and
parental contributions? Can we not achieve our
fieldwork ambitions closer to home In and
around our schools and the local community?
5
The death of GCSE Coursework
Following a review of assessment by QCA
nine subjects (including Geography and
Humanities) will have their teacher set and
marked coursework components replaced with
controlled assignments. The model of
controlled assignment has yet to be worked out,
but in essence future assessments will be taken
under supervised conditions and will be set
and/or marked by the Awarding Body. QCA has been
working with Awarding Bodies to develop the
concept and is planning to introduce the new
assessment procedures as part of the revised
specifications due to be in place for new GCSE
cohorts in September 2009.
So does this spell the end of fieldwork in GCSE
Geography?
6
QCA statement "Fieldwork is a very important
part of learning in geography and there's no
reason why that should change. The question is
over how the learning acquired on a field trip
should best be assessed. At the moment it tends
to be through coursework. We think this form of
assessment has been undermined in recent years
and a more credible form of assessment should be
use to ensure standards."
7
All the above strategies require students to have
a good understanding of fieldwork techniques. The
death of coursework is not the end of fieldwork.
8
The Scottish Experience
Some examples of how enquiry / fieldwork skills
are assessed in Scotland
Look at the diagram below.         
                                                  
                                                  
                                      Describe in
detail two gathering techniques you would use to
assess the economic and environmental impact of
tourism in and around Keswick. Justify your
choice of techniques.
9
2 (Credit Level). Gathering Techniques
                                                  
                                                  
                                    
The pupils in the diagram above are about to do
a river study. What two techniques could they
use to gather information about the
characteristics of the river at A/B on the
sketch? Justify your choices.
10
4 (Credit Level). Processing Techniques
Climatic data for Glasgow Airport 1-7
September 1997
Climatic data for Stornoway Airport 1-7 September
1997
Look at the two tables of climatic data
above. Which processing techniques would you use
to compare the statistics for the two
airports? Justify your choice of techniques.
11
Where do we go from here?
1. Fieldwork outlines (and related resources)
will be placed on the network webpage - Please
keep these coming
2. Two contracts (100 each) available for any
network member willing to produce a generic
school or community based out-of-class learning
resource for KS3. Once completed these will be
uploaded to the webpage and
made available to all members.
3. I will be adding some links to my favourite
fieldwork related sites. Check out the fieldwork
section of the Action Plan webpage, it is well
worth a visit.