Sample work Geography Stage 5: Australia's human characteristics – Demographic research
Work samples aligned to grades assist teachers to develop their understanding of the achievement standards at each grade level.
Description of activity
Students collect demographic information from a variety of sources including the internet, complete a table of selected countries and global averages and analyse the research findings.
- Students work in small groups to gather simple demographic characteristics for Australia, other selected countries and global averages. Groups could be assigned to each of the topics (column headings) on the table.
- Groups research and complete their part of the table.
- The teacher directs the collation of the information on an overhead transparency projector and students complete their tables.
- Students analyse the findings of the research.
- Students discuss oral reports from the various groups, and address questions about how this table illustrates the unique human characteristics of Australia.
- Students submit their completed tables and analysis for marking.
The activity takes approximately 1 hour.
Worksheet 1 – Comparative demographic characteristics for Australia, selected other countries and the world
For Worksheet 1, demographic research is to be completed individually.
| Demographic Characteristics | Australia 1901 | Australia 2001 | Other developed country, eg UK or France | Developing country, eg Indonesia, Egypt | Least developed country, eg Niger, Afghanistan | Global average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population size | ||||||
| Distribution | ||||||
| Growth rates | ||||||
| Age structure | ||||||
| Ethnic composition |
| How does this table illustrate the unique human characteristics of Australia? |
|---|
Worksheet 2 – Peer assessment
| Your name: | Classmate's name: |
|---|
Please tick in the appropriate space on the table below to assess your classmate's work.
| Table of performance | P – Progressing | S – Satisfactory | H – High |
|---|---|---|---|
| He/she meets the following criteria at the level indicated: | P | S | H |
| A. Selects and organises relevant data for Australia and chooses countries that clearly show different levels of development. | |||
| B. Presents appropriate demographic characteristics in the table format. | |||
| C. Provides data that illustrates the unique human characteristics of Australia when compared with other countries. | |||
| D. Orally communicates geographical information to me. |
Context
This activity takes place early in the Stage 5 unit Changing Australian Communities (5A2). The activity builds on students' skills in identifying, gathering and evaluating statistical data through the detailed examination of the 'human characteristics that make Australia unique' involving demographic comparisons between Australia and a selection of other countries.
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
- 5.7 analyses the impacts of different perspectives on geographical issues at local, national and global scales.
Criteria for assessing learning
(These criteria would normally be communicated to students with the activity.)
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
- identify, select and organise comparative demographic characteristics of Australia and a range of countries at different levels of development
- present the demographic characteristics in tabulated form
- analyse data to illustrate the unique characteristics of Australia
- communicate geographical information orally.
Graded student work samples
- Grade C sample: Australia's human characteristics – Demographic research – Shannon (PDF 1.1MB)
- Grade C sample: Australia's human characteristics – Demographic research – Ricky (PDF 227.95KB)
- Grade C sample: Australia's human characteristics – Demographic research – Jamie (PDF 82.06KB)
- Grade C sample: Australia's human characteristics – Demographic research – Courtney (PDF 1.74MB)
Work sample feedback
Jessie
Jessie has demonstrated thorough knowledge and understanding of the unique characteristics of Australian communities. A high level of competence is evident in the selection and organisation of data for age structure and ethnic composition but distribution has not been accurately recorded.
Detailed comparisons have been made between Australia and other nations, and a number of differences have been identified, but there is little reference to specific figures. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade B standard.
Shannon
Shannon has demonstrated sound knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of Australian communities. An adequate level of competence is evident in the selection and organisation of data. Ethnic composition and age structure have been well covered but detail is lacking in some other categories. The distribution has been correctly interpreted but no information has been provided for 1901.
In the written response, Shannon has referred to one major trend, the difference in life expectancy, but more detailed analysis across a wider range of areas is required. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard.
Ricky
Ricky has demonstrated an adequate level of competence in selecting and gathering data to complete a table. The information provided is mostly accurate but the data on growth rates and age structure is questionable. The written response requires greater detail, particularly in reference to the uniqueness of Australia’s human characteristics. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard.
Jamie
Jamie has adequately completed the table with accurate information, which demonstrates a sound knowledge of the demographic characteristics of communities. To achieve a higher level, data on age structure and ethnic composition needs to be presented consistently to allow for meaningful comparisons.
Care should be taken to present data accurately, eg percentages. The synthesis is weak as only one criterion is used for the comparison (which actually is not drawn from the data). However data has been selected and used to come up with a statement, and a weak conclusion. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard.
Courtney
Courtney has demonstrated an adequate level of competence in selecting and gathering data to complete a table. Geographical tools have been used to investigate the spatial dimensions of the world, demonstrating an adequate ability to organise and communicate geographical information.
The response could be strengthened by using the data provided to make comparisons highlighting the uniqueness of Australia, rather than using information not included in the table. In addition, the data given for ethnic composition needs to be consistent. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade C standard.
Indra
Indra has selected and organised geographical information into a table but has only demonstrated a basic understanding of the data. A basic understanding and knowledge of the unique characteristics of Australia has also been demonstrated but appropriate comparisons with other countries have not been made.
There has been a limited attempt to analyse and apply the data but there are several inaccuracies and some misinterpretation. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade D standard.
Ariel
Ariel has demonstrated basic knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of Australian communities. A limited level of competence is evident in the selection and organisation of data. The table is incomplete and it is unclear to which countries some statistics relate.
The information on age structure and growth rates has not been recorded in a way that allows meaningful comparisons to be made between countries. Ariel’s written response is limited and does not include supporting data. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade D standard.
Morgan
Morgan has demonstrated a very limited level of competence in the identification, selection and organisation of comparative demographic characteristics. The data is often inaccurate with a large proportion of the table not completed.
Morgan has demonstrated an elementary understanding of the unique characteristics of Australia and a very limited attempt to analyse and compare the data has been made. A lack of understanding of the term ‘distribution’, and the inaccuracy of the figures shown for growth rates compound the limitations of this response. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade E standard.