Unit Outline

Rivers form the backbone of many communities, histories, and natural ecosystems across the globe. In this unit you investigate and analyse characteristics and ecologies of river systems for safe travel and environmental interpretation. You will explore and evaluate natural and cultural aspects, catchment formation, hydrology, and ecosystems of specific Tasmanian river systems. Through hands-on fieldwork and weekly workshops, you gain the technical skills, knowledge, and confidence needed for safe travel in river environments and acquire a deep understanding of riverscapes.

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	Investigate, analyse, and interpret ecological, social, and cultural knowledge related to river environments.
2	Evaluate and critique personal, group and safety experiences in river environments.
3	Demonstrate hydrological knowledge through technical paddling, self-rescue, and rescue of others on dynamic moving water (Grade 1) and white water (Grade 2).
4	Communicate critical thinking through writing, speaking, teamwork and academic integrity.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	75 credit points of Introductory units in the Bachelor of Outdoor and Environmental Education

Alterations as a result of student feedback

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:	Personal reflection on experience	Week 4	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Place-responsive River Environment Resource	Week 8	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Fieldwork Demonstration	Week 12	30 %	LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 4:	Satisfactory Participation	Week 14	0 %	LO1, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Personal reflection on experience

Task Description:

Reflection that critically evaluates ways in which rivers have influenced a student’s life up until this point, by drawing on social, cultural and ecological perspectives.

Task Length:

Equivalent to 800 words

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Critically reflect on personal experience in river environments.	LO2
2	Identify and analyse social, cultural, and ecological influences that impact river environments and experiences.	LO1
3	Produce a reflection that meets scholarly expectations	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Place-responsive River Environment Resource

Task Description:

This assessment involves putting together an interpretive resource that explores a specific river environment in Tasmania.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Articulate an aligned rationale and approach to the resource	LO2
2	Research social, cultural, and/or ecological knowledges that relate to a specific river environment.	LO1
3	Analyse and interpret historical, contemporary, and future relationships of a river environment.	LO1
4	Produce a resource that meets scholarly and professional expectations.	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Fieldwork Demonstration

Task Description:

This assessment occurs during the fieldwork components of the unit.

Task Length:

Equivalent to 1200 words

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate technical paddling competence on moving water (Grade 1) and white water (Grade 2)	LO3
2	Apply self-rescue, basic rescue of others, and equipment recovery techniques on moving water (Grade 1) and white water (Grade 2)	LO3
3	Critique and reflect on safety aspects and group participation in river environments.	LO2

Assessment Task 4: Satisfactory Participation

Task Description:

Satisfactory participation in practical fieldwork is required to meet this hurdle assessment. Satisfactory participation includes adequate preparation; safe practices; care for self, others and the environment; and active engagement in group work. Students who are unable to attend will have the opportunity to complete the hurdle later in the teaching period or when the subject reoccurs in a following teaching period (within 12 months)

Task Length:

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

0 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Prepare for outdoor environmental studies fieldwork.	LO1
2	Participate in learning opportunities	LO3
3	Engage in group work during fieldwork	LO3
4	Apply safe practices for self, others, and the environment	LO3

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.