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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can collect data to investigate current changes in my local area and evaluate the impact of these changes.

      Key learning points

      1. Fieldwork can include environmental assessment, e.g. what do we think about change here?
      2. Photographs can evidence changes that are happening.
      3. The work that people do can change the local area positively or negatively.
      4. Changes spotted could be ranked as to how dramatic the effect is or will be.

      Keywords

      • Fieldwork - Fieldwork is investigating outdoors using geographical tools and thinking to gather information or data.

      • Environmental assessment - An environmental assessment is an evaluation of the positive and negative qualities of the locality.

      • Risk assessment - A risk assessment looks at what hazards we might come across and how to keep us safe.

      • Route - A route shows the starting point and end point of a journey, sometimes with stops in between.

      • Evidence - Evidence is a fact or piece of information that helps to prove that something is or is not true.

      Common misconception

      When planning their route children may not have any concept of distance.

      Use the map scale to estimate how far the route is. An average walking speed is around 12 minutes per km.

      Teacher tip

      Share the lesson slide prior to fieldwork. You will need a map of the local area, digital cameras/ipads to take photographs and clipboards with the environmental assessment.

      Equipment

      Map of the local area, digital cameras or ipads, clipboards, environmental assessments.

      Content guidance

      Risk assessment required - physical activity

      Supervision

      Adult supervision required

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is an opinion?

      A proven fact that is universally accepted.
      Correct answer: A personal view or judgement formed about something.
      A method used to collect data in fieldwork studies.

      Q2.
      What is the first step in conducting a fieldwork study?

      collecting data
      analysing data
      drawing a conclusion
      Correct answer: formulating an enquiry question

      Q3.
      Why is an enquiry question important in fieldwork studies?

      Correct answer: It guides the direction of the study.
      It provides the final conclusion.
      It helps in data analysis.

      Q4.
      Put the steps you need to take to conduct a survey in the correct order.

      1 - think of an enquiry question
      2 - decide what data you would like to collect
      3 - plan and write survey questions
      4 - conduct an interview

      Q5.
      Scale score questions and yes/no survey questions are easier to ...

      Correct Answer: analyse, Analyse, analyze

      Q6.
      Which tools are useful for collecting opinions?

      Correct answer: surveys
      photographs
      Correct answer: interviews
      maps

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What does fieldwork in geography involve?

      Correct answer: gathering information in a real environment
      studying in a library
      reading textbooks
      watching documentaries

      Q2.
      What is a key aspect of fieldwork in geography?

      memorising geographical facts
      learning about different cultures
      Correct answer: observing geographical processes
      drawing detailed maps

      Q3.
      Why is it important for risk assessments to be carried out before fieldwork?

      Risk assessments are important for deciding what type of transport to use.
      Risk assessments are important for determining the type of data to be collected.
      Risk assessments are important for deciding on the enquiry question.
      Correct answer: Risk assessments are important for ensuring people's safety during fieldwork.

      Q4.
      A shows the starting point and end point of a journey, sometimes with stops in between.

      Correct Answer: route, Route

      Q5.
      Which of these are evidence of people bringing about change in the local area?

      Correct answer: road sweepers
      Correct answer: builders
      cars

      Q6.
      All change is positive. True or false?

      Correct Answer: false, False, It is false

      To help you plan your 3 geography lesson on: Evidence from fieldwork, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...