Geographical Association

Diane Swift (GA) and Judith Mansell (RGS-IBG) demonstrate how candidates should engage with a critical review of fieldwork. The unit also requires candidates to project a range of practical, organisational and intellectual skills onto a real world question or issue, involving them in the complexity of geography through two fieldwork projects.

Although difficult to classify on the academic-vocational continuum, the unit is ‘predominantly academic’ in that it is focused on a body of knowledge, skills and experience pertaining to fieldwork. However, it will inevitably be applied by candidates since geography fieldwork must be used in a context.

Information on the context and concepts underpinning the unit is followed by assessment objectives and opportunities for linking to other themes.

Download the full Investigating Geography Through Fieldwork unit together with its associated planning guide from the links below.

An extensive range of fieldwork strategies is available with a useful summary on the Geography Trainers’ Induction Pack pages.

Websites to explore some of the thinking behind fieldwork activities include:

• The RGS-IBG’s Unlocking the Archives includes information about the tradition of fieldwork activities. Specific resources include: Victoria Falls sketch, map of Africa before Livingstone, map after Livingstone, Mary Kingsley and views of Antarctica. The site also offers advice for contemporary expedition leaders and helps candidates put geographical investigation in the context of wider society.
  
• The resources related to the Cape Farewell Project exemplify an extreme environment and focus on the project as a contemporary fieldwork expedition.
  
• An overview of fieldwork in a school context can be found in a Fieldwork Think Piece on the GTIP pages. Aimed at new tutors in teacher education, the information is of value when exploring the background, role, value and purpose of fieldwork investigations.
  
• Field Studies Council - includes ‘A Review of Research on Outdoor Learning’ - an overview of fieldwork in an educational context. Also contains useful health and safety information, and has a section on progression within the context of geography fieldwork activities.
  Other sites offering ideas for fieldwork include:
  
• QCA’s Innovating with Geography - includes a 14-19 area, and the key stages 3 material may also provide fieldwork ideas
  
• Teacher Net - lists websites which exemplify fieldwork techniques
  
• ICT Advice Services - includes examples using digital photography, ICT to compare volcanoes and tools to gather and present weather data
  
• The Geography Site - has a section about fieldwork skills and techniques, with a particular focus on river investigations.

• GeoResources - explores processes and landforms around the River Darent in Kent, and has other information about virtual fieldwork
  
• King Edward VI, Camp Hill
  
• Oxford Brookes virtual fieldwork and flood control
  
• Virtual Montana - university fieldwork