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