Unit Outline

Human activity has altered fifty percent of the Earth's surface, leading to various consequences, both positive and negative, on our landscapes. However, the opportunities to explore, conserve, and appreciate pristine and exposed landscapes are growing, giving rise to the fields of geoconservation and geotourism. This unique unit explores strategies for investigating, understanding, and addressing issues related to geoconservation and geotourism. Through a series of hands-on, field-based, and problem-based learning experiences, you will acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to create and manage (geo)heritage inventories, evaluate potential sites for geotourism and geoeducational purposes, design new geotouristic experiences, and develop materials for both consumers and operators in the fields of geoconservation and geotourism.

Our program is the only one of its kind in Australia, allowing you to work on real-world case studies and collaborate with leaders in these fields. We look at all forms of Geodiversity - waterways, soils, mountains, fossils, volcanoes and more. Imagine a world where rocks are not just 'rock and roll,' but the rockstars of Earth's history, and geoheritage is our backstage pass to study and conserve their epic stories! Join us as we provide guidance on how to recognise and nominate sites for conservation, restore degraded lands, create trails and geotouristic experiences and explore UNESCO Geoparks whilst utilising cutting-edge digital technologies, conducting social and scientific research, and fostering close relationships with industries and protected area groups. Absolutely no background knowledge is required to undertake this unit, and all are welcome. All techniques and experiences will be provided to you within the unit. This unit provides students with opportunities to undertake over 50 hours of in-field training for students wanting to travel to Tasmania, or exiting online professional training if you live elsewhere in the world.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Communicate geoheritage and geotourism concepts and data
2.	Accurately apply geographical concepts to contemporary global challenges
3.	Curate and communicate geoheritage inventory
4.	Exhibit professional conduct by complying with organisational guidelines and expectations of responsible personnel

Alterations as a result of student feedback

In 2024, we have taken into account past student feedback, which indicated that the volume of learning for some technical tasks was difficult to meet without instructional videos. These are included in the 2024 offering.

Teaching arrangements


ATTENDANCE MODE	TEACHING TYPE	LEARNING ACTIVITY	CONTACT HOURS	FREQUENCY
On Campus	Workshop	One 3-hour masterclass per week (excluding field trip weeks). These masterclasses are designed to be led by professionals with the intent of fostering professional skills. All techniques and knowledge required to complete assessment tasks are delivered in these classes.	3	StudyPeriod 11 times
	Fieldwork	Two separate whole-day (8 hour) during semester (dates will be indicated in the timetable and confirmed on MyLO in week 1). In addition to the 8 hours in the field, each field trip could possibly involve (free, chartered) bus travel of up to 2 hours each way. Students wishing to attend these trips must therefore allow for these travel times. Face-to-face students are expected to participate as part of their assessment, and online students can choose to attend or participate in virtual trips.	8	Once only (2 times)
	Independent Learning	You will be required to read provided materials, prepare assignment work and maintain up-to-date records of your learning throughout the teaching period.	2	Weekly
	Fieldwork	A three-day fieldwork camp (Friday 5th-Sunday 7th April 2024) in northern Tasmania, visiting mountains, beaches, forests and rare landforms.	24	Once only
Online	Workshop (Online)	One 3-hour masterclass per week (excluding field trip weeks). These masterclasses are designed to be led by professionals with the intent of fostering professional skills. All techniques and knowledge required to complete assessment tasks are delivered in these classes. As an online student, you are encouraged to attend the live online class, where you will have a dedicated instructor and work with high-quality resources. These classes are also recorded if you can't attend live online.	3	StudyPeriod 11 times
	Fieldwork	Two separate 4 hour online field trips will take place during semester whilst students in Tasmania are on a day-long field trip (dates to be confirmed in Week 1 of semester). Your participation, using the incredible online resources, instructional guides and facilitators, is required. A dedicated zoom session will be established for you, and depending on the split of online students available during work hours and evening, may be repeated twice.	4	Once only (2 times)
	Independent Learning	You will be required to read provided materials, prepare assignment work and maintain up-to-date records of your learning throughout the teaching period.	2	Weekly
	Workshop (Online)	An online seminar and workshop series is a mandatory training for students who cannot attend camp. This seminar series is held in week seven (Friday 5th - Sunday 7th April), and features a Friday night session with presenters from UNESCO, The Australian Geoscience Council and landscape restoration professionals. Saturday and Sunday workshops include guided virtual field trips and training, especially for online students. The contact hours for the activity include pre- and post-preparation time.	20	Once only

Attendance / engagement expectations

If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.

All students must either attend the KGA327 camp in northern Tasmania (fly into Launceston, or depart on chartered bus from Hobart) or attend the KGA327 online seminars from 5th to 7th of April, 2024.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	AT2: Geosite Nomination	See the MyLO site for the due date	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	AT3: Geotrail or Heritage Trail	Week 11	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	AT4: Video Experience	Week 15	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	AT1: Landscape of the Week Online Quiz	Refer to Assessment Description	10 %	LO1, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: AT2: Geosite Nomination

Task Description:

You are required to submit a mock nomination of a primary geosite, a geodiversity site or an item of ex situ geoheritage.

This nomination portfolio should contain:
1. A description of a site or item of high geoscientific value 'SV' (modified geodiversity sites or items are also permitted, as long as they possess high SV), including map(s) and photographs;
2. An SV assessment and justification of the reasons for your overall assessment score;
3. A condition assessment, comprised of the assessment of degradation risk (DR), and the conservation status of the site, including justifications of your reasoning for the decisions that you make; and
4. A statement of significance designed to convince a management or conservation body that your site or item deserves geoheritage status and geoconservation or heritage conservation.

Task Length:

1200 words plus graphical and photographic appendices and tables

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Justifies inclusion of items/elements	LO1, LO3
2	Applies values and degradation criteria to justified examples and case studies	LO2
3	Communicates using appropriate discipline-specific terminology	LO1, LO4
4	Recognises the work of others by using appropriate in- text citations and a reference list	LO4
5	Correctly identifies levels of significance and condition when communicating inventory	LO3

Assessment Task 2: AT3: Geotrail or Heritage Trail

Task Description:

You are required to produce a four-stop geotrail or heritage trail, of your own design, featuring the following components in a word document:
1. Trail purpose and mode
2. Trail layout/location
3. Trail features and valorisation
4. Constraints analysis for the trail
5. Trail 'presentation' by way of Google earth KML output with pictures and interpretive sign at each stop.

Task Length:

Up to 1,500 words (excluding tables, figures, GIS outputs, screenshots and photographs) Turning geoscience into experiences. Geoparks.

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describes purpose, features and goals of trail.	LO1
2	Produces trail using digital tools.	LO2
3	Accurately identifies site and use constraints.	LO2, LO3
4	Conducts trail/site valorisation with accurate application of criteria.	LO2, LO3
5	Communicates site features as aligned with usage goals and trail purpose.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
6	Adheres to academic integrity standards including appropriate in-text citations and reference list	LO4

Assessment Task 3: AT4: Video Experience

Task Description:

Using video software supplied to you in class, produce a five-minute video detailing a geoconservation or geotouristic experience. Communicate the messages in the video using language that a person with a generalist, non-specialist knowledge would be able to understand. Integrate a range of geographical, geospatial and geoconservation techniques into the video, demonstrating your proficiency in using these throughout the semester, and apply these to an experience or nomination of your choice.

Task Length:

5-minute video

Due Date:

Week 15

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Sources, collates & explains geoheritage concepts	LO1, LO3
2	Produces materials that explain geoheritage theory and practice in an engaging manner	LO1
3	Uses instruments, measurements or technical approaches to produce data that underpin a geoheritage or geotourism assessment	LO2
4	Concisely communicates technical aspects of geoheritage in a manner which adheres to academic integrity standards.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 4: AT1: Landscape of the Week Online Quiz

Task Description:

Each week, from weeks 2-11, you will be required to complete a 4-question quiz embedded in a ‘Landscape of the Week’ video. These videos are designed to help you identify the various types of geodiversity elements that exist in the landscape, and the terminology used to describe them. You cannot complete each quiz until you have watched the landscape of the week video at least once. The maximum duration of the landscape of the week video each week is 20-minutes.

Task Length:

40 questions

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Correctly identifies abiotic features	LO3
2	Correctly describes geographical processes	LO1

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

There are no required reading materials in KGA327.