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Outdoor and Environmental Studies 2006-2009

Clarification

The following clarification has been provided in response to the Coursework Audit conducted in 2006. From the samples of School-assessed Coursework audited there appears to be some confusion between the key knowledge of Unit 3, Area of Study 1 and Unit 4 Area of Study 2. This information provided specifically relates to VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies:

Unit 3 Area of Study 1 Historical perspectives

• the role of environmental movements in changing human relationships with Australian environments, in particular since the 1970s.

and

Unit 4 Area of Study 2 Sustaining environments

• conflicts of interest between people involved in uses of natural environments, such as tourism, national parks, public land, farming, conservation and differing types of outdoor recreation;
• the methods used by individuals and groups to influence decisions about the use of natural environments;
• the processes followed by land managers and/or governments or their agencies in making decisions relating to conflicting interests over the use of natural environments;
• While these two areas of study either refer to or imply a conflict of interest they are not the same in emphasis or major content. The ‘Advice for teachers’ section of the Study Design provides some additional clarification of the differences in emphasis and content.
• The Advice for teachers for Unit 3 Area of Study 1 states: Students explore the history and role of environmental movements in raising community consciousness and achieving conservation of environments in Australia. The emergence of environmental groups campaigning against a range of environmental threats, and the development of international and national concerns and strategies in the 1970s, marked another stage in the changing relationships with the Australian environment. While it is important for students to understand that the environment movement was not just a phenomenon of the 1970s, the emphasis should be on environmental groups that are currently active and relevant to the topics they are studying.
  The emphasis in this Area of Study is on historical relationships with natural environments. In relation to the specific environment/s studied, students should identify key historical milestones and analyse the impact that environmental movements have had on the relationship with this environment. For example the impact of an environmental movement could be the desire to protect a specific environment for future generations. Unit 4 Area of Study 2 focuses on the sustainability of environments and includes the study of conflicts arising over use of an environment and the methods and processes commonly used in attempts to resolve these conflicts. The Advice for teachers for Unit 4 Area of Study 2, states:
  Examples of conflicts should relate to tourism, national parks, public land, farming, conservation and outdoor recreation. These conflicts occur because different groups of people have different interests in, and beliefs about the uses of an area. This content can be taught through case studies of the experiences of particular groups including historical examples. Some of the methods used to try to influence decision makers about particular issues are effective and some less effective. Students should evaluate the effectiveness of each method in relation to particular examples of environmental conflicts, as well as their application as general principles. Students should become familiar with the various processes utilised by decision makers to try to resolve conflicting interests about particular environmental use issues. Students should evaluate the effectiveness of each process in relation to particular examples of environmental conflicts, as well as their application as general principles. Students should also investigate management strategies used by Aboriginal groups in various parts of Australia to minimise their impact in natural areas, such as a seasonal calendar.
  The emphasis in this Area of study is on the conflict of interest between people involved in different uses of a natural environment. In relation to the specific environment/s studied, students should be able to identify and describe relevant conflicts of interest and evaluate the methods and processes in decision making about the use of the natural environment. School-assessed Coursework for Units 3 and 4 should reflect the differences in emphasis and content as described above. Enquiries about the study can be directed to: Curriculum Manager, Health and Physical Education
  Nerida Matthews
  Tel: (03) 9651 4444

As published in the VCAA Bulletin, February 2007, pp. 9-10

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