Sample work History Stage 5: Australia and the UN – 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 use a chart showing the principal agencies of the United Nations.
Using website addresses, students investigate, either individually or in pairs or groups, one of the agencies on the chart. Students then outline the aims and achievements of the chosen agency and Australia's role in the agency; construct a timeline of the main activities of the agency between 1945–2000; present a one-page structured report in a format of their own choosing, indicating sources used.
Context
This activity forms part of Topic 7: People Power and Politics in the Post-war Period in the Mandatory Stage 5 History syllabus and provides an opportunity to study civics and citizenship in a global context. Students have used relevant sources to learn about the founding of the United Nations and Australia's role in its formation. They have gained some understanding of the purpose of the UN from their reading of excerpts from the UN Charter.
Worksheet – Peer assessment
The following graphic is a method of group peer assessment. The teacher could negotiate appropriate criteria with the class as suggested below.
Use the following criteria to assess the reports presented by each of the other groups who undertook the same project as your group. Use the following scoring scale:
- Excellent = 5
- Very good = 4
- Fair = 3
- Poor = 2
- Very poor = 1
| Group number presenting | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment criteria | |||||
| |||||
| |||||
| |||||
| Total / 15 |
Outcomes
A student:
- 5.2 assesses the impact of international events and relationships on Australia's history
- 5.4 sequences major historical events to show an understanding of continuity, change and causation
- 5.8 locates, selects and organises relevant historical information from a number of sources, including ICT, to undertake historical inquiry
- 5.10 selects and uses appropriate oral, written and other forms, including ICT, to communicate effectively about the past for different audiences.
Criteria for assessing learning
(These criteria would normally be communicated to students with the activity.)
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
- outline the aims and achievements of the agency and Australia's role in the agency in the post-war period
- sequence the main activities of the agency between 1945 and 2000
- locate and select relevant historical information from ICT sources
- present the results of their research in an appropriate, structured text.
Graded student work samples
Work sample feedback
Ashley
Ashley has demonstrated an extensive knowledge of United Nations' peacekeeping activities. There is evidence of independent engagement in research and synthesis of information from a range of resources. The results of the research are well presented and appropriately structured, including a clear outline of the aims and achievements of UNICEF and Australia's role in the agency.
The information has been presented in an attractive and accessible form, demonstrating effective communication skills. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade A standard.
Darcy
Darcy has demonstrated a basic knowledge of some of the activities of UN peacekeeping. The timeline is accurate but only a limited knowledge of the aims and achievements of the agency is included.
Darcy has distinguished between the UN activities and Australia's specific involvement in them, but the statement of the aims is basic and there is no real coverage of the achievements. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade D standard.
Cameron
Cameron has demonstrated a basic knowledge of some of the activities of World Health Organisation. The timeline is accurate but it does not reflect the main activities of the organisation. Limited information has been provided about the aims and achievements of the organisation, and there is very little coverage of Australia's role. This work sample demonstrates characteristics of work typically produced by a student performing at grade D standard.