Unit Outline

Conservation efforts globally are focussed primarily on biodiversity, but geodiversity elements and features such as soils, rivers, mountains and caves provide humans with awe and inspiration, enjoyment, and a wealth of ecosystem and geosystem services. In this unit, you will learn about how to recognise geodiversity elements as critical system supports for biodiversity and ecosystem function, and to appreciate their cultural and recreational value for society. Using a series of masterclasses with global experts (in-field, in person and online), you will be immersed in the practices of geoconservation and 'geotourism'. With no prior knowledge or skills required, you will develop skills as a communicator and conservation professional, and learn how to: - Rank and assess geodiversity elements (as 'units' of conservation) and features in terms of their rarity, uniqueness, importance to science and society, - Construct inventories of abiotic, biotic and cultural elements and values for recreation and reserve establishment - Undertake in-field degradation assessments of landscapes used by humans for tourism and production - Recommend management strategies to restore landscape features and values for human enjoyment and wilderness protection - Undertake decision-making in a range of modes – graphical, consensus methods, GIS methods and qualitative methods. - Communicate landscape features and conservation strategies to a broad range of audiences and stakeholders. Any student interested in how to undertake conservation practice, curate heritage, restore degraded environments, assess landscape suitability for tourism and other ventures, or to communicate natural values will find KGA527 useful. All skills and knowledge required to successfully complete KGA527 are developed within the unit.

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.	Construct inventories for geodiversity for heritage, tourism and conservation purposes
2.	Evaluate land degradation and vulnerability of geodiversity elements and values .
3.	Recommend appropriate infrastructure, experiences, and management options for geodiversity elements using decision-support tools
4.	Communicate geodiversity values to a range of specialist and non-specialist audiences

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	KGA327

Alterations as a result of student feedback

This year, we have provided a series of additional resources on MyLO to help students identify the activities required to be undertaken each week.

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.	3	StudyPeriod 10 times
	Fieldwork	Two separate whole-day (8 hour) during semester (Friday March 15 and Monday April 29). In addition to the 8 hours in the field, each field trip will also involve bus travel of up to 2 hours each way. Students participating in-person must allow for these travel times in their scheduling. If you are unable to join in-person due to time constraints, please arrange to join the online activities.	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-Sunday, 5-7 April 2024).	20	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. Online students can attend these via zoom with a dedicated online instructor each week from 9 am to 11:50 am or watch/read the resources independently at a time most convenient to you.	3	StudyPeriod 10 times
	Fieldwork	Two online virtual field trips lead by instructors and curators to assist you with developing field inventory and condition monitoring skills. These online virtual journeys have been designed specifically for you. As a result, the on-campus dates of March 15 and April 29 field trips do not need apply to you, and the relevant instructors will contact you to negotiate a suitable time where most online students can attend a virtual discussion and exploration of the field trip.	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
	Clinical or Professional Practice	A three-day series of professional training sessions and seminars will be held from Friday evening 5th April and in two sessions on Saturday and Sunday April 6th and 7th. These assist you to develop skills similar to students attending KGA527 camp.	12	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.

You will not find it possible to successfully complete KGA527 without regular engagement with unit materials.

Irrespective of enrolment mode, all students are expected to attend the camp or online workshop held between April 5-7th 2024. The camp costs $150 and covers all meals (including special dietary requirements), and tents, sleeping bags and mats are available for free hire.

KGA527 is an inclusive unit where no prior knowledge or experience is required, and we welcome diversity in approach, learning style and ideas.

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:	AT1: Weekly Quiz	Week 2	10 %	LO1, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	AT2: Geosite nomination	Week 5	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	AT3: Geotrail or Heritage Trail	Week 10	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	AT4: Video Experience	Week 14	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: AT1: Weekly 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:

Week 2

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


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

Assessment Task 2: AT2: Geosite nomination

Task Description:

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

This nomination portfolio should contain:
1. A description of a site or item of high geoscientific value 'SV' (secondary or composite 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:

Week 5

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Justifies inclusion of item in an inventory or as part of an experience	LO1, LO3, LO4
2	Applies established scientific, additional and degradation criteria to justified example	LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Meaningfully considers and critiques the recommendation and valorisation	LO2
4	Communicates using appropriate discipline-specific terminology as related to stated goals and in written submissions. Note that if you have scored an HD to this point, but only a pass on this criteria, your grade will be reduced.	LO4

Assessment Task 3: 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 - MCDA and/or GIS and planning implications
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)

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describes purpose, features and goals of trail.	LO1
2	Produces trail using digital tools.	LO3
3	Accurately identifies site and use constraints.	LO1, LO2
4	Conducts trail/site valorisation with accurate application of criteria.	LO1
5	Communicates site features as aligned with usage goals and trail purpose.	LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 4: AT4: Video Experience

Task Description:

Using video software supplied to you in class, produce a seven-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:

7-minute video

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Sources, collates & explains geoheritage concepts	LO1
2	Produces materials that explain geoheritage theory and practice in an engaging manner	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Proficiently demonstrates use of instruments, measurements and/or techniques and approaches to produce data that underpin a geoheritage or geotourism assessment	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
4	Concisely communicates technical aspects of geoheritage	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, attempt and submit at least 75% of the assessment in the unit, 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.