Sample work Geography Stage 5: Changing Australian communities – Research report
Work samples aligned to grades assist teachers to develop their understanding of the achievement standards at each grade level.
Description of activity
Students:
- investigate the nature of and the changes in an Australian community in a structured research activity over a number of lessons. The activity has two distinct phases. Students begin by completing independent background research and then communicate their findings in an extended response, based on their research, completed in class
- select an Australian community and complete the tasks listed on Worksheet 1 Independent Research Activity
- describe the character of the community environment, analyse factors that have contributed to a sense of community and explain how this community has changed over time. Stimulus material such as maps, tables and graphs etc should be integrated and a detailed summary point information sheet should be included. The hand-drawn map should display accurate labels and relevant markings.
The extended response is to be written in class after the research phase has been completed.
Worksheet – Independent research activity
As preparation for an extended response on Changing Australian Communities.
Assessment activity: Extended response to be written in class.
Select a community and identify and outline 3 to 5 factors that have contributed to this community's sense of identity. Explain how this community has changed over time.
Choose 3 to 5 factors from the following list:
| Demographic characteristics | Socioeconomic status |
|---|---|
| Ethnicity | Aboriginality |
| Cultures | Gender and sexuality |
| Religion and belief | Kinship |
| Sporting allegiance | Work/occupation |
| Interest groups | Heritage |
| Affiliation with land, country, space | Governance |
| Popular culture | Rural/urban identity |
| Neighbourhood |
- In your response include a map you have drawn showing the location of your chosen community.
- Illustrate your answer with specific facts and figures.
- As evidence of your research, you are to bring to class one A4 information sheet (may be double-sided). This sheet may contain statistical information and summary points but MUST NOT be a copy of your extended response.
- The information sheet and map must be attached to your extended response.
You MUST register with your teacher the community you are going to research.
A copy of the marking criteria to be used is on the back of this sheet.
Context
This research activity occurs towards the end of a unit on Changing Australian Communities (5A2). This activity builds on the knowledge and analysing skills introduced earlier in the unit and applies them to the study of one Australian community. Students examine the community in terms of identity, change and responses to change.
Outcomes
A student:
- 5.1 identifies, gathers and evaluates geographical information
- 5.2 analyses, organises and synthesises geographical information
- 5.3 selects and uses appropriate written, oral and graphic forms to communicate geographical information
- 5.8 accounts for differences within and between Australian communities.
Criteria for assessing learning
(These criteria would normally be communicated to students with the activity.)
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
- locate and describe the character of a selected community
- describe the factors that contribute to the community's sense of identity
- identify the factors causing change in the community and explain the impacts of this change
- integrate stimulus material such as maps, tables and graphs etc
- summarise their research in a support document.
Graded student work samples
Work sample feedback
Taylor
Taylor has demonstrated an extensive knowledge and understanding of Australian environments and communities. Appropriate stimulus material has been selected and integrated in the independent analysis of factors that shape a local community. The conclusion could be strengthened by being more specific and not introducing new data. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade A standard.
Bailey
Bailey has demonstrated thorough knowledge and understanding of Australian environments and communities. The research is good but has not been well organised under the appropriate headings. In the extended response Bailey has explained different perspectives regarding the gay and lesbian community, identifying three factors that contribute to the community's sense of identity but there are some references that have not been included such as the political influence of the Christian Democrats.
The report could be strengthened by more effective coverage of factors bringing change to the community. Some analysis has been undertaken and complex geographical information, including the changes taking place in society, has been adequately communicated but the map does not seem to have a purpose. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade B standard.