430 Geoactive 1 NSW for the Australian Curriculum Stage 4

21.1 Overview 21.1.1 Scenario and task Task: Produce a report about the impacts of travel movements around a local school or traf� c hotspot, and devise a plan to better manage traf� c and pedestrian movement.

People travel for many reasons at the local scale — for example, they may travel to work, to shops, to visit friends and to local sporting venues. Often there are times when traf� c congestion occurs, creating danger areas for motorists and pedestrians. Examples of places where such congestion occurs are schools and shopping centres. Undertaking � eldwork allows you to observe and collect original data � rst-hand.

Your task Your team has been commissioned by the local council to compile a report evaluating the impacts of travel movements around a local school or traf� c hotspot. You will need to collect, process and analyse suitable data and then devise a plan to better manage future traf� c and pedestrian movement in the area.

CHAPTER 21

Fieldwork inquiry: What are the effects of travel in the local community?

TOPIC 4 INTERCONNECTIONS

21.2 Inquiry process 21.2.1 Process • Open the ProjectsPLUS application for

this chapter located in your eBookPLUS. Watch the introductory video lesson and then click the ‘Start Project’ button and set up your project group. You can complete this project individually or invite members of your class to form a group. Save your settings and the project will be launched.

• Planning : Navigate to your Research Forum. Research topics have been loaded into the system to provide a framework for your research. You can also add your own new topics.

• As part of a class discussion, determine a suitable location for your � eldwork study. This might be your own or a local school, or a nearby shopping centre. Talk about some of the issues related to your � eldwork site and then devise a key inquiry question — for example: What are the effects of . . . ? or How can we reduce the impact of . . . ? This will be the focus of your � eldwork. You then need to establish the following: – What sort of data and information will you need to study the travel issue at your site?

– How will you collect this information? – Where would be the best locations to obtain data?

– When would be the best times of the day or day(s) of the week to obtain data?

– How will you record the information you are collecting?

If you wish to collect people’s views on the issue, or suggestions for improvements, you will need to plan and write suitable survey questions.

21.2.2 Collecting and recording your data • As a class, plan the � eld trip by

identifying and allocating tasks and possible sites to groups or pairs. It is often easier to share data collection. Once everything has been planned, you will need to perform your allocated tasks on the day.

• In class, invite your school principal or a member of your local council to be a guest speaker discussing your � eldwork site. They may be able to assist with background information that you may

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UNCORRECTED

UNCORRECTED Undertaking � eldwork allows you to observe and collect original data

UNCORRECTED Undertaking � eldwork allows you to observe and collect original data

Your team has been commissioned by the local council to compile a

UNCORRECTED Your team has been commissioned by the local council to compile a report evaluating the impacts of travel movements around a local school

UNCORRECTED report evaluating the impacts of travel movements around a local school or traf� c hotspot. You will need to collect, process and analyse suitable

UNCORRECTED or traf� c hotspot. You will need to collect, process and analyse suitable data and then devise a plan to better manage future traf� c and pedestrian

UNCORRECTED data and then devise a plan to better manage future traf� c and pedestrian

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PAGE

PAGE where such congestion occurs are schools and shopping centres. PAGE where such congestion occurs are schools and shopping centres. Undertaking � eldwork allows you to observe and collect original data PAGE Undertaking � eldwork allows you to observe and collect original data

•

PAGE •a suitable location for your � eldwork

PAGE a suitable location for your � eldwork study. This might be your own or a local

PAGE study. This might be your own or a local school, or a nearby shopping centre.

PAGE school, or a nearby shopping centre.

PROOFSand then click the ‘Start Project’ button

PROOFSand then click the ‘Start Project’ button and set up your project group. You can

PROOFSand set up your project group. You can complete this project individually or

PROOFScomplete this project individually or invite members of your class to form

PROOFSinvite members of your class to form a group. Save your settings and the

PROOFSa group. Save your settings and the project will be launched.

PROOFSproject will be launched.

Navigate to your Research

PROOFS Navigate to your Research

Forum. Research topics have been

PROOFSForum. Research topics have been loaded into the system to provide a

PROOFSloaded into the system to provide a framework for your research. You can

PROOFS

framework for your research. You can also add your own new topics. PROOFS

also add your own new topics. As part of a class discussion, determine PROOFS

As part of a class discussion, determine a suitable location for your � eldwork PROOFS

a suitable location for your � eldwork

Chapter 21 Fieldwork inquiry: What are the effects of travel in the local community? 431

not be able to gain elsewhere. They can also provide a different perception of the effects of travel at your site. Plan a series of questions you would like to ask and be prepared to take notes that you can use in your report.

• After the �eld trip, it may be necessary to collate everyone’s data and summarise surveys so that everyone has access to the shared information.

21.2.3 Processing and analysing your information and data• Look at your completed graphs and maps. What trends,

patterns and relationships can you see emerging? Within your �eldwork area, are there some places that have a bigger issue with cars and pedestrians than other areas?

Is there an interconnection between traf�c congestion and time of the day, or day of the week? What have your surveys revealed? What are the major effects of travel at your �eldwork site? How do people perceive the travel issues in this place? Go back to your key inquiry question. To what extent have you been able to answer it? Write your observations up as a �eldwork report using subheadings such as: – Background and key inquiry question – Conducting the �eldwork [planning and collecting data] – Findings [results of data analysis].

• Visit your Media Centre and download the report template to help you complete this project. Use the report template to create your report.

21.2.4 Communicating your findings• Now that you have identi�ed a traf�c problem and collected

and analysed data, it is time to try to solve it. Your completed map and supporting data will form part of your

management plan for the future. What have been the main issues that have emerged from your �eldwork research? How can you best manage these issues? Using your base map, create an overlay or annotated map to show possible options for reducing the traf�c problem. You will need to support each proposal with data that you have gained from your �eldwork. Possible ideas could include: – changing parking restrictions – staggering times of drop-off and pick-up – introduction of traf�c wardens to guide traf�c – creation of a one-way system.

Your teacher may arrange for your completed report to be presented to your school or local council. Considering your audience, what is the best way to present your �ndings? You might like to produce a PowerPoint presentation or an annotated visual display.

21.3 Review21.3.1 Reflecting on your work• Think back over how well organised and prepared you

were for the �eldwork, the data you collected and how you processed the data for your report. Download and complete the re�ection template from your Media Centre.

• Print out your Research Report from ProjectsPLUS and hand it in with your �eldwork report and re�ection notes.

Your ProjectsPLUS application is available in this chapter’s Resources tab in your eBookPLUS. Visit www.jacplus.com.au to locate your digital resources.

Suggested software• ProjectsPLUS• Microsoft Word or any other word

processing tool• PowerPoint or any other

presentation tool

Media CentreYour Media Centre contains:• a sample traf�c count data sheet• a sample survey question sheet• a report template• an assessment rubric.

c21FieldworkInquiryWhatAreTheEffectsOfTravelInTheLocalCommunity.indd 431 08/10/16 1:20 pm

UNCORRECTED e an interconnection between traf�c congestion and

UNCORRECTED e an interconnection between traf�c congestion and time of the day, or day of the week? What have your surveys

UNCORRECTED time of the day, or day of the week? What have your surveys revealed? What are the major effects of travel at your �eldwork

UNCORRECTED revealed? What are the major effects of travel at your �eldwork site? How do people perceive the travel issues in this place?

UNCORRECTED site? How do people perceive the travel issues in this place? Go back to your key inquiry question. To what extent have

UNCORRECTED Go back to your key inquiry question. To what extent have you been able to answer it? Write your observations up as a

UNCORRECTED you been able to answer it? Write your observations up as a �eldwork report using subheadings such as:

UNCORRECTED �eldwork report using subheadings such as:– Background and key inquiry question

UNCORRECTED – Background and key inquiry question– Conducting the �eldwork [planning and collecting data]

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– Conducting the �eldwork [planning and collecting data]– Findings [results of data analysis].

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– Findings [results of data analysis].e and download the report template

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e and download the report template to help you complete this project. Use the report template to

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to help you complete this project. Use the report template to

21.2.4 Communicating your findings

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21.2.4 Communicating your findingsNow that you have identi�ed a traf�c problem and collected

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Now that you have identi�ed a traf�c problem and collected and analysed data, it is time to try to solve it. Your

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and analysed data, it is time to try to solve it. Your completed map and supporting data will form part of your

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completed map and supporting data will form part of your

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Your ProjectsPLUS application UNCORRECTED

Your ProjectsPLUS application is available in this chapter’s UNCORRECTED

is available in this chapter’s UNCORRECTED PAGE Think back over how well organised and prepared you

PAGE Think back over how well organised and prepared you were for the �eldwork, the data you collected and how you

PAGE were for the �eldwork, the data you collected and how you processed the data for your report. Download and complete

PAGE processed the data for your report. Download and complete the re�ection template from your Media Centre.

PAGE the re�ection template from your Media Centre.Print out your Research Report from ProjectsPLUS and

PAGE Print out your Research Report from ProjectsPLUS and hand it in with your �eldwork report and re�ection notes.

PAGE hand it in with your �eldwork report and re�ection notes.

PAGE PROOFS

PROOFSour teacher may arrange for your completed report to be

PROOFSour teacher may arrange for your completed report to be

presented to your school or local council. Considering your

PROOFSpresented to your school or local council. Considering your audience, what is the best way to present your �ndings?

PROOFSaudience, what is the best way to present your �ndings? You might like to produce a PowerPoint presentation or an

PROOFSYou might like to produce a PowerPoint presentation or an

Review

PROOFSReview

21.3.1 Reflecting on your workPROOFS

21.3.1 Reflecting on your workThink back over how well organised and prepared you PROOFS

Think back over how well organised and prepared you were for the �eldwork, the data you collected and how you PROOFS

were for the �eldwork, the data you collected and how you