GEOGRAPHY FIELD STUDIES
The Geographical Investigation
The geographical investigation is a core area of study and as such is compulsory for all students. Field studies and investigations
using primary and secondary sources are central to the geographical education and experience of all students. The investigation
will allow the student to experience the practical application of the core geographical skills that are central to all units of the syllabus.
The geographical investigation will allow the student to experience the key aims of the syllabus in the context of their own
environment. The investigation also encourages students to develop positive attitudes by both experiencing and questioning
relationships and issues in their own environment.
The investigation represents the practical application of the core geographical skills listed in the syllabus. The students, having
studied and practiced the geographical skills listed, will then apply the appropriate skills to the investigation topic. In the process of
completing the geographical investigation students will be required to;
Devise a strategy and identify aims, objectives, and hypotheses to allow for the effective investigation of the topic
Select methods of collection and gathering appropriate to the investigation topic
Use appropriate methods of gathering and collection of information
Prepare a report
Analyse and interpret results and draw valid conclusions.
Courtesy of www.curriculumonline.ie
Investigation Skills
In addition, our study will endeavor to incorporate the following investigation skills.
Map Interpretation
Photograph Analysis
Statistical Analysis
ICT
GIS
Planning
Data Collection
Use of Documentary Sources
Report Planning
Analysis & Interpretation of Results & Conclusions
Geographical Investigation
These are some comments of the first run of geographical investigations submitted to the State Examination Board:
Now mandatory, separate
Standard very high
Overall length not generally an issue
Conclusions, Evaluation often weak
Presentation skills generally good
Inserts found in a small nr of cases(they dont want inserts)
A number of issues arose concerning the authenticity of coursework [the GI].
Authentication Issues
Content too similar across candidates
External handouts used too literally
Candidate not presenting work for monitoring by teacher [Form P20]
At EcoAdventure Ireland we have taken this general advice, and worked on the areas where the presentations are weak, such as
the conclusions, evaluations, and authenticity, similar content issues.
With regard to authenticity and similar content we overcome this by students have their own individual worksheets per activity. The
individual need to date and sign each activity completed. There are opportunities throughout the day that they can individually
comment on parts of the activity in their own worksheet.
With regard to weak evaluations and conclusions, we have included an 1 hour classroom session at the end of the fieldwork to
gather data, results, conclude and evaluate their findings.
Programme Brief
This is a sample programme brief:
Groups Arrive @ 10am
Introduction & class work
Start at fieldwork site @ 11am
Lunch at 2pm
Finish at 3pm
For real outdoor upland fluvial landforms, for those who have an extra day, and would like to go on a hike, we can hike to Djouce
Mountain to see the highest waterfall in Ireland, the famous horsetail Powerscourt waterfall, and the interlocking spurs of the Upper
Dargle River.
Included with focusing on the geographical skills as per the geography curriculum, we have included the following tasks:
» To Identify river features
» To calculate discharge
» To determine efficiency of channel - hydraulic radius
» To see whether a channel is meandering (sinuosity)
» To record gradient
» To determine average grain size of the bed load, and an appraisal of the type of rocks
We are using the Glencree River for our study site, and this is 10 minutes away from the youth hostel on foot.
A study of one landform evident on the Irish landscape formed by geomorphic processes.'
Topic: A river meander
Topic: A river meander
Print or save a PDF version of this page
The stage of the river could be classified as the mature stage of the river, with a very obvious meander, with evident erosion and
deposition taking place along the course. We have three study sites only 30m-40m apart.
Our results should show that:
1 The valley profile of a river is altered by the presence of a meander
2 The cross-sectional area shows the river bed changes in depth across the width of the river at a meander
3 The velocity changes across the width of a river at a meander which gives rise to constant erosion on the outside of the bend with
corresponding deposition on the inside of the bend. This creates a meander which is in constant migration.
4 The bedload changes in shape and size across the width of a river at a meander.
For a more detailed programme brief or additional information and a sample of a worksheet please Contact Us!
Geography Field Studies
Geography Leaving Certificate - Geographical Investigation:
Due to the huge popularity and need, EcoAdventure Ireland has chosen to host the River study from the list of topics sent by the
Department of Education for 2012.
The title of this study is:
After booking, each teacher is email a detailed Worksheet
Introduction:
Knockree:
The meander we are going to study is in the vicinity of Knockree Youth Hostel.
It is one of a series of meanders that occur along the mature course of the Glencree River before it meets the Dargle River which
meets the sea at Bray.
The Glencree River rises in the mountains on the Sally Gap and flows through the glaciated Glencree valley. Our main study site will
be beside the Wicklow Way footbridge in the valley.
Killarney:
The meander we are going to study is in the vicinity of the village of Beaufort. It is one of a series of meanders that occur along the
mature course of the River Loe.
Killarney is also in a great location for both Geography and Ecology field studies. We use the River Loe for our River Study
programme there. Ever since practical fieldwork became an integral part of the new modular geography/biology curriculum the
fieldwork on both the Junior and Leaving Certificates has become a popular choice.
This investigation involves, group work, class work, ICT, and field work!
© Copyright EcoAdventure Ireland Ltd. - 2011 - 2012
Site Design By: MARKONEX
Exciting Education & Adventure Centres
