Seminar on the design of assessment for the revised S4-5 geography curriculum

Chan Chin LeeHKSYC & IA Chan Nam Chong Memorial College

29/5/2004

Assessing geographical skills in written examinations

How to assess geographical skills through examinations? (using the revised S4-5 geography curriculum as an example)

How can written examination questions be designed to inform the progress of students’ learning?

How to assess geographical skills through written examinations?

Using the revised S4-5 geography curriculum as an example

What geographical skills to be assessed?

How to assess?

What geographical skills? (HKEAA)

Read and interpret a variety of maps at different scales

Interpret ground and aerial photographs-to extract and analyze geographical information from them

Observe, measure and record data (including interview) systematically and accurately

Construct and test hypotheses in order to solve geographical problems

Use appropriate geographical terminology to present materials and arguments

Basic inquiry skills Ask and identify questions from a

geographical perspective

Locate and collect appropriate information and data from a variety of sources

Select and use appropriate format such as text and illustrations to organize and present information and data

Use appropriate methods to interpret information and data for making inferences and drawing conclusions

Evaluate the answers, solutions or conclusions drawn from inquiry(HKEAA)

Geographical skills

Asking Geographic Questions

Acquiring Geographic Information

Organizing Geographic Information

Analyzing Geographic Information

Answering Geographic Questions

Assessment of the following skills Map reading and interpretation

Photograph interpretation

Aerial photograph interpretation

Assessment of map skills 1:20,000 map

1:5000 map

Others

Map reading – language Scale

– linear, statement, R.F. Direction

– compass points, whole-circle bearing, reduced bearing

Grid reference and grid square- 6 figure, 4 figure

Signs and symbols – contour lines etc.

Map measurement and drawing Calculation of gradient

Cross section drawing and calculation of vertical exaggeration

Sketch map drawing/ copying

Measurement of distance and area

Map interpretation Interpret human, economic activities:

e.g. settlement, communications, land use etc.

Interpret physical landform: e.g. relief, drainage pattern etc.

Problem solving and decision making

Refer to the map extract

of Sham Chung

(HM20C sheet 8 Sai Kung)

Describe the relief of Sham Chung (grid square 2084) and the surrounding.

Skills assessed:

1. Symbols: contour lines, drainage, coast line etc.

2. grid references: location of the hills etc. 3. accurate height measurements: the

height of Sham Chung village, trigonometrical station etc.

4. compass directions: north of Sham Chung….etc.

5. landscape features: river valley etc.

Describing and explaining location

There is a plan to develop Sham Chung into a resort comprising villa guesthouses and a golf course.

Describe and explain the favourable and unfavourable locational factors.

Skills assessed: Describing location:1. Compass directions: higher ground to the

east, bay to the west etc. 2. Distances: of the footpath from Yung

Shue O etc. 3. Symbols: ferry pier, footpath, secondary

roads, country park’s boundary etc. 4. Grid references: location of ferry pier etc. 5. Landscape features: river valley etc.

Skills assessed (cont’) Explanation of the locational factors:1. Map interpretation:

-influence of the settlement, communication, landform features, country parks etc.

2. Decision making: -favourable or unfavourable factors.

There is a plan to develop Sham Chung into a resort comprising villa guesthouses and a golf course.

As the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, will you agree such development. Explain your stand point. Skills: map interpretation, present arguments

How can written examination questions be designed to inform the progress of student’s learning?

Skills summary sheet

Skills assessed scores

Identification of symbols

Identification of features

Use of grid reference

Use of compass direction

Description skill

Structured questions Identify; name; match:

Skills: map reading

Draw: (sketch map, cross-section etc.)Skills: drawing

Measure; calculate: Skills: measurement, scale, calculation

Describe; compare; contrastSkills: map reading, direction, grid reference

ExplainSkills: interpretation of relationships, organization, making inferences, drawing conclusions

Suggest solutionsSkills: problem solving, decision making

EvaluateSkills: present arguments, decision making, drawing conclusions

Structured questions to inform the progress of students’ learning

Identify the landform feature at grid reference 208845.Skills: landform identification

Find the highest point in the grid square 2084. Give its 6 figure grid reference.Skills: grid reference, contour lines trigonometrical station

Describe the landform north of Sham Chung (208845).Skills: compass points, contours, landform identification

Explain how the landform is favourable for the development of Sham Chung into a resort.Skills: map interpretation

Map measurement and drawing skills

Refer to the map extract of Sham Chung again

(HM20C sheet 8 Sai Kung)

Assessment of map drawing Draw a cross-section from the

trigonometrical station 180 (grid reference 204848) to 210836) with a vertical scale of 1 cm to 50 m.Skills: drawing, scale

Calculate the vertical exaggeration of the cross-section. Skills: calculation

Refer to the cross-section and the map extract, explain why Sham Chung is suitable to develop into a resort with golf course and villa guesthouse.Skills: map interpretation, decision making, symbols, grid reference, landscape features

Assessment of map measurement Measure the distance of the footpath from

Sham Chung (209842) to Yung Shue O (214826).-Skills: measuring distance, grid reference, symbols.

Calculate the time required for the villagers to walk from Sham Chung to Yung Shue O. (The speed of walking = 4 km/ hr)-Skills: Simple calculation

Explain how does it hinder the development of Sham Chung.Skills: map interpretation, decision making

Suggest solutions to solve this problem.Skills: symbols, grid reference, map interpretation, decision making

Photograph interpretation skills Photograph reading

– identify features, pattern

Photograph interpretation – interpreting patterns and relationships

Sketching, scale, direction

Integration of map and photograph interpretation

A Photograph of Sham Chung

Please refer to Photo 9 on the website below:

http://www.cexplorer.com/t-shamchung2.htm

Refer to the photograph of Sham Chung and the map extract.

Draw a sketch of the photograph to show the land uses.Skills: photograph interpretation, sketch drawing

Account for the land uses as shown in the sketch.Skills: map interpretation, photograph interpretation,

Refer to the photograph of Sham Chung and the map extract.

Identify the land use A in the photograph Skills: photograph reading

Account for the occurrence of land use A in Sham ChungSkills: photograph interpretation, map interpretation

Another example of map and photograph interpretation

A Photograph of Sham Chung

Please refer to Photo 10 on the website below:

http://www.cexplorer.com/t-shamchung2.htm

Refer to the photograph of Sham Chung and the map extract.

From which direction was the photograph taken?Skills: map reading, direction

With the support of photographic evidence, argue against the development of Sham Chung into a resort with golf course and villa guesthouse.Skills: photograph interpretation, present arguments

Aerial photo interpretation skills Recognition of features

Sketch drawing

Scale, direction

Interpretation: patterns, relationships

Aerial photograph interpretation

ARefer to the aerial photo of Kowloon 5.11.84 56988

(Survey and Mapping Office

Building and Lands Department

Hong Kong Government)

Assessment of aerial photo interpretation skills

Compare and contrast the characteristics of land use in A and B.Skills: recognition of features, patterns

Describe the urban problems in ASkills: interpretation, inference

Explain why urban renewal is needed in A.Skills: interpretation, presenting arguments