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 field and 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 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

Last year, the typically excellent delivery of KGA327 was affected by staff illness, which resulted in some last minute reorganisation of content and experiences. This year, we have designed a more resilient curriculum, to allow for any unforseen circumstances!

Teaching arrangements


ATTENDANCE MODE	TEACHING TYPE	LEARNING ACTIVITY	CONTACT HOURS	FREQUENCY
On Campus	Workshop	One 2-hour workshop per week (excluding field trip weeks). These workshops are designed to be led by the teaching team or other relevant professionals with the intent of fostering professional skills. All techniques and knowledge required to complete assessment tasks are delivered in these classes.	2	StudyPeriod 11 times
	Fieldwork	A whole-day (8 hour) field trip during semester at the end of week 3. In addition to the 8 hours in the field, each field trip could possibly involve (free, chartered) bus travel of up to 1 hour each way. Students wishing to attend this trip must therefore allow for these travel times. Face-to-face students are expected to participate as part of their unit activities, and online students can choose to attend or participate in virtual trips.	8	Once only
	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 two-day fieldwork camp (Saturday 5th-Sunday 6th April 2025) in eastern Tasmania, visiting mountains, beaches, threatened ecological communities and rare and iconic landforms.	16	Once only
Online	Workshop (Online)	One 2-hour workshop per week (excluding field trip weeks). These workshops are designed to be led by the teaching team or other relevant professionals with the intent of teaching skills, techniques and knowledge required to complete assessment tasks. 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.	2	StudyPeriod 11 times
	Fieldwork	A 4 hour online field trip will take place during semester whilst students in Tasmania are on a day-long field trip (Friday, Week 3). 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
	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 data collection and training event for students who cannot attend camp, held Saturday 5th - Sunday 6th April. Fully facilitated event, featuring session facilitators 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, and will enable you to collect data for AT3.	16	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 or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, 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 are expected to attend either the field camp or online data collection activity on April 5th and 6th, 2025.

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: Geoconservation Portfolio 'Quiz'	Week 6	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: Weekly interactive task development	Refer to Assessment Description	10 %	LO1, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: AT2: Geoconservation Portfolio 'Quiz'

Task Description:

You are required to submit a mock nomination of a primary geosite, a geodiversity site or an item of ex situ geoheritage OR respond to questions about an 'in-quiz' site supplied to you.

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.

This assessment task is delivered as an online MyLO quiz-style activity. It is time-limited, offering you three hours upon opening to complete. Some questions will be long answer, requiring a few lines of typing and citations. The emphasis in this assignment is on determining your depth of knowledge and understanding of geoconservation concepts, with less emphasis on the quality of written communication, given the time-limited nature of the task.

Task Length:

1200 words plus graphical and photographic appendices and tables

Due Date:

Week 6

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.

Data collection for this assessment will occur on a weekend clearly indicated within the unit schedule as a field camp and/or online workshop, which you should choose based on your personal preference and circumstances.

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 critical issue in geoconservation or geotourism. 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.

The use of generative AI voiceovers is not permitted in this assessment.

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: Weekly interactive task development

Task Description:

Each week, from weeks 2-6; 8-12, you will be required to engage deeply with interactive MyLO content that forms the basis of your practical workshop preparation and knowledge development. Activities such as short videos of concepts, technical readings and other interactive media will need to be watched or read by you, after which you will complete a short embedded quiz-style activity. This assessment breaks up your home-study time into manageable weekly components, allowing you to track your progress and prepare for weekly teaching activities in your own time.

Task Length:

Online MyLO small tasks that incorporate your readings, landscape of the week videos, short questions and forum engagement and comprise your weekly pre-practical preparation (1-2 hours weekly).

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.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

A weekly reading is provided via MyLO in KGA327 and will aide your participation in workshops.