A Level Geography NEA covering carbon and water, place and Glaciation skills along with NEA planning & data collection at Rhyd-y-Creuau (Small Group Course)

Example Timetable

Monday

Morning session:

Arrival at approximately 12:30. Introduction and tour of centre. (Please bring your own packed lunch).

Afternoon session:

In this half day session students will consider their perception of rural places and how this might differ to the perception of different groups of people. Students will use a range of fieldwork techniques with a strong emphasis on innovative qualitative techniques to investigate the enquiry question: ‘Does the “media place” reflect our lived “experience place” ?’ Students will be encouraged to participate fully in the place, buying local produce, conversing with locals etc.
Students will be prompted to consider how they will use this fieldwork site and the demonstrated skills for their NEA and/or to build knowledge and understanding of this location as a case study.

Evening session:

Geographical Information Systems Workshop
Students will be introduced to the power of GIS through an engaging real-world application before discovering how they can present and analyse a range of secondary data using ArcGIS online.  The workshop is designed so that students can work at their own pace, and the resources are available to continue experimenting in post-course learning. The Field Studies Council tutor will show students how they can add their own data to the GIS platform and prepare them to collect location information during their NEA data collection.

Tuesday

Morning and afternoon session:

This full day allows students to immerse themselves in the glacial landscape. Students will carry out fieldwork and gain skills to investigate how glacial processes contribute to the formation of glacial landforms and landscapes, and how the glacial landscape is used and managed today. Students will be encouraged to consider how they will use this fieldwork site and the demonstrated skills for their NEA and/or to build knowledge and understanding of this location as a case study.

Evening session:

Statistics for Geographical Enquiry Workshop
This session gives students the confidence and skills to select an appropriate statistical test and interpret the result in relation to their data. The session will start with a reminder of descriptive statistics (measures of distribution and central tendency) before moving on to inferential statistics. Students will work at their own pace to complete examples of various statistical tests. The workshop is designed so that students/ teachers can choose which statistical test to cover, with the rest available for post-course learning.

Wednesday

Morning and afternoon session:

Students will be introduced to the history of this, once popular, seaside resort and to some of the regeneration and rebranding projects that have attempted to rejuvenate the declining tourist industry, and improve the living spaces of the local community. Students will use a range of fieldwork techniques with a strong emphasis on innovative qualitative techniques to investigate how successful the regeneration has been.

And

Coastal Systems and Landscapes: Coastal Processes and Management
This full day will allow students to consider the interaction between coastal processes and how management of coastlines is used to mitigate against the risk/ severity of coastal flooding and erosion. Students will have the opportunity to carry out fieldwork to investigate both the sediment dynamics operating in the area and how the coastline can be managed to meet the needs of all players.
Students will be encouraged to consider how they will use this fieldwork site and the demonstrated skills for their NEA and/or to build knowledge and understanding of this location as a case study.

Evening session:

Preparation for NEA Data Collection
This session will allow students to make the final decisions on their investigation methodology and sampling strategy, taking into account the skills, experience and knowledge they will have gained throughout the field course. Students will prepare data collection sheets, complete a risk assessment and list their fieldwork equipment. The Field Studies Council tutor will confirm site locations and logistics and ensure students are working in suitable fieldwork groups for safety and efficiency of data collection. We encourage teachers to use this session as an opportunity to finalise NEA proposal forms.

Thursday

All day:

NEA Data Collection
Students will collect data in a chosen environment. The number of sites available will be determined by: number of teaching groups; your transport situation and the ability of school staff to supervise students under our GURS procedure. Please confirm NEA data collection locations with your Field Studies Council tutor before commencing question planning with students.

Friday
Morning session:
Data Presentation Workshop (Flexible)
Students will be introduced to a range of data presentation options and asked to consider what makes an appropriate data presentation technique. Students will have the opportunity to practice a range of quantitative and qualitative presentation techniques.

Departure at approximately 13:00.

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  Expert Tuition
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  Free Wi-Fi
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  Full Board Accommodation
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  Hot and Cold Drinks
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  In Course Transport
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  Picnic Lunch