Graphical Representations lectures - 10 hrs
Information Technology workshops - 20 hrs
Graphical Representations workshops - 20 hrs
Statistics lectures - 12 hrs
Statistics workshops - 24 hrs
Fieldwork - 16 hrs
Tutorials - 24 hrs

This module is composed of four main elements. The series of one hour Graphical Representations lectures and associated two hour workshops will introduce the skills and knowledge required for geographers to understand the significance of visual representations of spatial data. This element will include map reading, computer cartographic techniques and aerial photography interpretation, culminating in the production of practical work combining analytical and graphical representational skills. A weekly two hour workshop on Information Technology in geography (the use of word processing, spreadsheets and internet and desk-top publishing), which will consist of students following worksheets and producing a group poster and word processed reflective piece. There is a weekly tutorial programme that will introduce key learning to learn skills - note taking, reading, essay writing and library use. Fieldwork contributes directly to the tutorial programme, Graphical Representations and Information Technology workshops. Statistical methods will be delivered through a combination of a weekly one hour lecture and a two hour workshop, which will encourage student familiarity with the application of numerical data, and develop this through the use of computer based statistics software.

(a) Graphical Representations workshops will be assessed by a portfolio of workshop tasks (30%) [1,2]
(b) Information Technology workshops will be assessed by a portfolio of weekly workshop exercises and a project involving the production of a group poster and an individual 750 - 1000 word reflective piece (20%). The completeness of the portfolio will be used to moderate the IT project mark [2, 3, 5, 6]
(c) Statistics will be assessed by a folder consisting of completed workshop coursework and a one hour class test (30%). [4]
(d) Tutorials will be assessed by a folder of weekly exercises, which will include one 1250 - 1500 word essay. Completeness of the folder will moderate the essay mark (20%). [7]


Additional Assessment Details:
The IT project uses the information and observations collected during the residential field course component of this module. The individual reflective component of the IT project will involve students reflecting on both the decisions that were made about the design and content of the group poster and their experience of group work.

Please note: Normally, to pass the module as well as achieving an overall Grade-Point 4 students must achieve at least a Grade-Point 2 in each of the assessed elements above.

Formative Assessment: To help with skills development many of the workshop exercises will be collected in at the end of the workshop session and feedback provided the following week. Tutorial handouts contain formative questions that allow students to self-evaluate their own understanding of tutorial materials. There is also the opportunity to provide formative feedback within the tutorial programme on a diagnostic `mini-essay' and the plan for the tutorial essay.

(1) Information Technology: word processing, use of spreadsheets for statistical analysis and presentation of Geographical data, using the internet to find Geographical information, desk-top publishing and poster production
(2) Graphical representation and analysis: a critical appreciation of maps and mapping, map interpretation at different scales; basic aerial photographic interpretation, classification and representation; basic cartographic techniques (scales, keys, legends, isoline and choropleth), computer cartography techniques
(3) Data skills will include awareness and computer application of; descriptive statistics (central tendency and dispersion), inferential statistics (hypothesis testing and correlation) and spatial statistics (analysis of points, lines and areas)
(4) Basic field skills: field observation, note-taking and sketching via a three day residential field course
(5) Training in how to work effectively as part of a group is delivered via the field class, IT workshops and tutorial
(6) Learning skills are delivered via a tutorial programme which involves the discussion of substantive issues and the development of skills in learning, viz. use of the library and reading and writing for university geography

Library, Faculty of Sciences Learning Resources Centre, internet, IT Suite and software packages such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, SPSS, and Adobe Freehand.

Clarke, G. & Wareham, T. (2003) Geography @ University
Clarke, A. (2005) IT Skills for Successful Study.
Clifford, N. & Valentine, G. (2003) Key Methods in Geography
Cottrell, S. (2003) The Study Skills handbook (2nd edition)
Dorling, D.& Fairbairn, D.(1997) Mapping - ways of representing the world
Flowerdew, R. & Martin, D. (2005) Methods in Human Geography (2nd edition)
Keates J.S. (1996) Understanding maps
Kneale P.E (2003) Study Skills for geography students (2nd edition)
Mathews, H. & Foster , I. (1989) Geographical data: sources, presentation and analysis
Middleton N (2003) The Global Casino (3rd edition)

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