Introduction
Hey Guys!
Welcome to the virtual fieldwork of an Australian physical environment. Our case study will be the coal cliff beach in wollongong. This area will be used to complete activities which will give you a better understanding about the coast. The activities will help prepare you for a Research Action Plan, which will be the final part of this webquest.
Thank you
Task
Go on this virtual tour and analyse the environment of the area, and how it impacts on humans and how humans impact on the environment. The activities you complete througout this Webquest should all be put into one document and sent to my email at its completion.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICruEr3QqSo align:center]
Process
Lesson 1
First things first. YOU need to get a better look of Coal Cliff Beach. Open up Google Earth and discover the land a bit better on your own. Get a good look of the surroundings, and the effects that humans have had on the beach.
Activities for this lesson
After you have had a good look at the beach through Google Earth, i will like you to bring up an aerial view. From here i would like you to complete a sketch map, line drawing and field sketch. Make sure you get a good view of the beach, as well as the human interaction around it. Scan your sketches and line drawing and include it into your final report.
Open up the following article
http://www.weekendnotes.com/coalcliff-tidal-rock-pools/
After reading this article, open up microsoft word and briefly note down what the important attrations are of this beach. Create a list that, one side displaying its natural attractions whilst the other displaying its man made attractions. Further research is needed to complete this, as this article is very brief. USE THE INTERNET TO YOUR ADVANTAGE STUDENTS!!
Create a little brainstorm that shows the possible dangers that this beach faces.
Lesson 2
We will now delve into the human interaction this beach has faced. Start of by watching this mini documentary, that documents the past and changes that this beach has faced
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1RMlhu-NZs align:center]
Activities for this lesson
After watching this, answer the following questions.
1. Is there and overlap of human and natural environment. If so give examples
2. Pollution is a major issue that many beaches face. Is there a chance of pollution occuring at this beach? Name 3 reasons why.
3. This video explores the human interaction with Coal Cliff Beach. Do you think that it is only this beach that has human interaction? Research and find 3 more coastal environments that have major human interactions. Name some reasons why you think this occurs.
Read this daily report on Wollongong Beaches
http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/facilities/beachespools/pages/beaches…
Create a table that displays all the conditions shown in this article. Highlight any out of the ordinary conditions if they are some.
Look at the pollution table. Record what level this beach is at, then compare it with the beaches around it.
After this study you have come to realise that Australian beaches are in danger due to human interactions. Why do you think it is important for Australians to sustain our beaches? It is our jobs as young geographers to spread this message and display the importance of ecological sustainablity.
What is ecological sustainability? Why do you think it is important to sustain our natural environments?
Answer all of these questions in a word document
Lesson 3
We will now delve into how this environment is effected by natural causes. First off watch this video of coastal erosion.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUh3WeilFN4 align:center]
Activities for this lesson
After watching this video, explain what you think is coastal erosion. Do you think that Coal Cliff Beach has been effected by coastal erosion?
There are many forms of coastal erosion. Using the internet define the following forms of coastal erosion: Wave Pounding, Hydraulic Pressure, Abrasion/Corrasion, Attrition, Corrosian/Solution, Non-marine processes.
After defining these, name which one you believe is the main cause of erosion at Coal Cliff Beach and why.
Read the following article
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/3040152/beach-erosion-has-been…
From this article we can see that erosion does occur at this beach, but it has been worse. They are certain factors which affects the level of erosion that occurs at a beach. These are: Beach width, Rock hardness, Supply of beach sediment, Depth of sea, Wave Steepness and Breaking point of the wave. Use the internet to find definitions of all of these.
After you have recorded these do some research on Coal Cliff Beaches erosion. Try and see if any of the reasons given above effect the level of erosion.
Lesson 4
IT IS FINALLY TIME!! YOU HAVE DONE ENOUGH RESEARCH THROUGH THIS VIRTUAL FIELD WORK TO START YOUR RESEARCH ACTION PLAN!
Your research action plan has to be based around either the human interaction or natural forces that effect Coal Cliff Beach. The three previous lessons have laid the groundwork, and now all that hardwork will pay off. Dont forget to use Google Earth to help you in this section
Steps involved in a Research Action Plan (RAP)
To develop a Research Action Plan the following steps should be taken:
Step 1 Identify the aim/purpose of the investigation.
Step 2 Generate a number of focus questions to be addressed by the investigation.
Step 3 Decide which primary and secondary data are needed to answer the focus questions.
Step 4 Identify the techniques that will be used to collect the data.
Step 5 Collect primary and secondary data.
Step 6 Process and analyse the data collected.
Step 7 Select presentation methods to communicate the research findings effectively.
Step 8 Propose individual or group action in response to the research findings and, where appropriate, take such action.
Good luck wit your final task!
Conclusion
Good work guys! You have completed all of the tasks. It was hard work, but you have proved yourselves to be young geographers. I hope you have learnt many things on this journey
P.S any activity you completed must be included in your final report and sent to me.
Teacher Page
Hey Guys!
Welcome to the virtual fieldwork of an Australian physical environment.