Inquiry questions provide a framework for developing students’ knowledge, understanding and skills. The following inquiry questions are examples only and may be used or adapted to suit local contexts.
How do environmental and human processes affect the characteristics of places and environments?
How do the interconnections between places, people and environments affect the lives of people?
What are the consequences of changes to places and environments, and how can these changes be managed?
Achievement Standard
Knowledge By the end of Year 8, students:
Explain how the interactions of people and environmental processes impact on the characteristics of places.
Explain how the characteristics of places are perceived and valued differently by people.
Describe the effects of human activity or hazards on environments.
Explain the features of a distribution and identify implications.
Explain the interconnections between people and places and environments.
Explain how these interconnections change places or environments.
Explain responses or strategies to address a geographical phenomenon or challenge, referring to environmental, economic or social factors.
Skills Students:
Develop relevant questions about a geographical phenomenon or challenge.
Collect, organise and represent relevant and reliable data and information using primary research methods and secondary research materials.
Interpret and analyse data and information to explain patterns and trends and infer relationships.
Draw reasoned conclusions about the impact of the geographical phenomenon or challenge.
Decide on appropriate strategies for action and explain potential impacts.
Use geographical knowledge, methods, concepts, terms and reference findings from sources to create descriptions, explanations and responses.
Content Descriptions – Skills
Questioning and researching using geographical methods
develop questions for a geographical inquiry related to a phenomenon or challenge
collect, organise and represent data and information from primary research methods, including fieldwork and secondary research materials, using geospatial technologies and digital tools as appropriate
Interpreting and analysing geographical data and information
interpret and analyse geographical data and information to identify similarities and differences, explain patterns and trends and infer relationships
Concluding and decision-making
draw conclusions based on the analysis of the data and information
identify a strategy for action in relation to environmental, economic, social or other factors, and explain potential impacts
Communicating
create descriptions, explanations and responses, using geographical knowledge and methods, concepts, terms and reference sources