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Research inquiry: Interconnections - AT

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Geography

Year 9

Satisfactory

Research inquiry: Interconnections

Summary of task

Students were required to select one product that is purchased by their household and investigate how the production and demand for this product creates networks of trade and economic interdependence at and across different scales. The inquiry took place over four weeks during class time and students were asked to present their findings in a written report. Students were given the following questions to help them with their inquiry:

Where is the product produced and/or manufactured?
What is the supply chain for the product?
What is the spatial distribution of production and consumption?
How does the product connect places?

Students were asked to design and investigate a further research question based on what they had learned.

Achievement standard

By the end of Year 9, students explain how geographical processes change the characteristics of places. They analyse interconnections between people, places and environments and explain how these interconnections influence people, and change places and environments. They predict changes in the characteristics of places over time and identify the possible implications of change for the future. Students analyse alternative strategies to a geographical challenge using environmental, social and economic criteria.

Students use initial research to identify geographically significant questions to frame an inquiry. They evaluate a range of primary and secondary sources to select and collect relevant and reliable geographical information and data. They record and represent multi-variable data in a range of appropriate digital and non-digital forms, including a range of maps that comply with cartographic conventions. They use a range of methods and digital technologies to interpret and analyse maps, data and other information to propose explanations for patterns, trends, relationships and anomalies across time and space, and to predict outcomes. Students synthesise data and information to draw reasoned conclusions. They present findings, arguments and explanations using relevant geographical terminology and digital representations in a range of appropriate communication forms. Students propose action in response to a geographical challenge, taking account of environmental, economic and social factors, and predict the outcomes and consequences of their proposal.

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Annotations overview

In this sample, the student has developed geographical questions to frame an inquiry and presented answers in the form of a report. The student presents findings and explanations using appropriate geographical terminology. The student demonstrates understanding of spatial patterns and networks of trade and appreciates the impact of global economic processes on places at different scales.

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Annotations
1
Annotation 1
Identifies the footwear producing countries in the world
2
Annotation 2
Constructs a thematic map to illustrate the location of footwear producing countries
3
Annotation 3
Suggests a reason for the location of footwear manufacturing
4
Annotation 4
Identifies all the steps and the people involved in the production, distribution and sale of footwear

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Annotations
1
Annotation 1
Draws a supply chain to show all steps in the production and distribution process
2
Annotation 2
Synthesises data to identify major consumption countries around the world
3
Annotation 3
Sorts data and constructs a column graph to show the top consumers of footwear by country and region
4
Annotation 4
Cites source of data

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Annotations
1
Annotation 1
Constructs a pie graph to illustrate the top consumers of footwear by region
2
Annotation 2
Synthesises data to identify patterns of consumption by region
3
Annotation 3
Provides an explanation for the demand for footwear with some reference to location
4
Annotation 4
Identifies the relationship between demand and the price of goods
5
Annotation 5
Identifies Africa as an outlier in spatial distributions and provides reasons for this
6
Annotation 6
Represents the spatial distribution of footwear consumption on a thematic map
7
Annotation 7
Uses shading and a legend to represent average values

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Annotations
1
Annotation 1
Identifies the connection between various stakeholders in the production stage of the supply chain
2
Annotation 2
Cites source of information
3
Annotation 3
Makes a generalisation about connections at other scales based on a case study at a national scale
4
Annotation 4
Explains how the production and consumption of footwear connects people nationally and regionally through networks and transportation routes
5
Annotation 5
Annotates a map with lines to show transportation routes in the footwear supply chain and the interconnections between places due to the footwear trade
6
Annotation 6
Uses initial research to frame a geographical question to investigate
7
Annotation 7
Analyses interconnections to identify positive outcomes
8
Annotation 8
Explains how interconnections from the footwear trade change places and environments
9
Annotation 9
Identifies the social issues associated with the production of footwear in less developed countries
10
Annotation 10
Predicts trends in the production of footwear

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Annotations
1
Annotation 1
Suggests viable solutions for manufacturers to address the social, environmental and economic issues associated with the production of footwear
2
Annotation 2
Suggests strategies for consumers to support the sustainable production of footwear
3
Annotation 3
Predicts the short and long term consequences of proposed strategy
4
Annotation 4
Synthesises data and information to draw reasoned conclusions