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?
They were asked to design and investigate a further research question based on what they had learned.
Achievement standard
Annotations overview
In this sample, the student has developed questions to frame an inquiry and presented answers in the form of a simple report. The student presents findings and explanations using some appropriate geographical terminology. The student demonstrates a limited understanding of spatial patterns and networks of trade and appreciates the local impact of production.
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Annotations
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Annotation 1
Identifies the top footwear-producing countries in the world -
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Annotation 2
Constructs a map identifying the location of some footwear-producing countries -
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Annotation 3
States there are no spatial patterns to footwear production -
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Annotation 4
Identifies some of the countries and regions that do not produce footwear
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Annotations
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Annotation 1
Draws a simple supply chain that focuses on the steps of production -
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Annotation 2
Makes reference to the distribution process of the supply chain -
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Annotation 3
Identifies a pattern of consumption -
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Annotation 4
Synthesises data to draw simple conclusions about footwear consumption patterns -
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Annotation 5
Sorts data and constructs a bar graph to show the top footwear-consuming countries in the world -
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Annotation 6
Makes an unsubstantiated generalisation to explain patterns of consumption -
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Annotation 7
Provides a simple explanation to support anomalies in own generalisations
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Annotations
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Annotation 1
Represents the spatial distribution of leather footwear consumption without the use of shading or a legend to denote average values -
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Annotation 2
Uses basic cartographic conventions (border, title, north point) -
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Annotation 3
Represents simple connections between exporting and importing countries -
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Annotation 4
Identifies that trade connects people and places -
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Annotation 5
Refers to participants in the supply chain and identifies some of the processes involved
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Annotations
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Annotation 1
Draws an unsubstantiated conclusion -
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Annotation 2
Uses initial research to frame a simple inquiry question -
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Annotation 3
Explains the effects of outsourcing the steps of production on working conditions -
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Annotation 4
Provides a reason for abuses associated with outsourcing production -
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Annotation 5
Gives a simple explanation of how interconnections change people and places -
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Annotation 6
Identifies health and environmental issues associated with the production of leather footwear -
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Annotation 7
Proposes a simple solution to addressing the issues associated with the production of footwear
