What is it and why should I do it?
VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies is concerned with the ways humans interact with and relate to outdoor environments. ‘Outdoor environments’ covers environments that have minimum influence from humans, as well as those environments that have been subject to different levels of human intervention. The study enables students to make critically informed comment on questions of environmental sustainability and to understand the importance of environmental health, particularly in local contexts.
What will I do in class?
Outdoor experiences suited to this study are: a range of guided activities in areas such as farms, mining/ logging sites, interpretation centres, coastal areas, rivers, mountains, bushland, forests, urban parks, and state or national parks. Activities undertaken could include bushwalking, cross-country skiing, canoe touring, cycle touring, conservation and restoration activities, marine exploration, and participation in community projects.
How much homework will I have?
Expect 30-45 minutes per night, though this may vary slightly in preparation for major Learning Tasks.
How do I satisfactorily complete the unit?
Both Units 1 and 2 are based off a major assessment. This task is a journal or report demonstrating links between theoretical content studied and practical experiences undertaken based of the unit of work completed.
Students will also have to complete an additional assessment which is a choice of: a case study, an oral presentation including the use of multimedia and podcasts, data analysis, structured questions, written responses, including essays and web discussion forums.