Click here to carry out a quick survey.
Once you have tried it, why not devise your own online survey, using Survey Monkey, an online survey toolkit that lets you make up your own questions.
What other questions might we AS GEOGRAPHERS want to ask about tourism?
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Prellim Feedback
The two questions which need the most follow up work are:
1. Explain why cities in the ELDCs are growing so fast
2.What are the benefits of Intermediate Technology?
1. Why are cities in the developing world (ELDCs) growing so fast?
Note the word "Explain" -Give reasons, use words like "because" and "therefore"
Click here for more details on urbanisation
Main point is to recognise that this is a Rural-Urban Migration question
The big story about cities in ELDCs is the massive move from the countryside to the town.
This can be explained by PUSH PULL factors,
PUSH-
Poverty in the countryside
Limited opportunities-few schools
Poor health care-high number of patients/doctor; no hospitals
Very small fields, many people LANDLESS
SURPLUS labour, since introduction of MECHANISATION in large estates (eg coffee, sugar estates of Brazil)
PULL
Many Multinationals have RELOCATED to ELDCs owing to cheap labour
-Growth of Manufacturing jobs
-huge construction projects need 1000s of workers
Most hospitals and clinics are in cities
Cheap housing
More liberal way of life-countryside very "traditional" and "conservative"-appeals to young people
2. What is the advantage of Intermediate Technology?
Intermediate Technology is often known as "Appropriate Technology"
It involves using local materials, labour and skills to come up with practical low cost solutions to basic problems. It does not require large scale projects that depend on foreign aid or workers. It is low cost, low maintenance, sustainable technology best suited to the economy and culture it is intended to support and which makes use of locally available skills, tools and materials. Examples of appropriate technology include
Biogas plants -Biogas is a mixture comprising mainly methane and carbon dioxide. It is produced when organic matter decomposes in the abscence of oxygen. About 57% of energy in India is generated this way.
two-wheeled iron trailers that can be attached to a bicycle to carry heavy loads of food, water or even passengers
energy efficient stoves using local materials that consume less than half the fuel compared to a traditional open fire.
The Wind-up radio and the computer and communication system planned by the Jhai Foundation are independent from power supply.
There is also the Grameen Bank's telephone network which gives Bangladeshi villagers access to communication.
[
1. Explain why cities in the ELDCs are growing so fast
2.What are the benefits of Intermediate Technology?
1. Why are cities in the developing world (ELDCs) growing so fast?
Note the word "Explain" -Give reasons, use words like "because" and "therefore"
Click here for more details on urbanisation
Main point is to recognise that this is a Rural-Urban Migration question
The big story about cities in ELDCs is the massive move from the countryside to the town.
This can be explained by PUSH PULL factors,
PUSH-
Poverty in the countryside
Limited opportunities-few schools
Poor health care-high number of patients/doctor; no hospitals
Very small fields, many people LANDLESS
SURPLUS labour, since introduction of MECHANISATION in large estates (eg coffee, sugar estates of Brazil)
Famine and Drought-crops fail (eg Nord Est of Brazil)
Desertification
PULL
Many Multinationals have RELOCATED to ELDCs owing to cheap labour
-Growth of Manufacturing jobs
-huge construction projects need 1000s of workers
Most hospitals and clinics are in cities
Cheap housing
More liberal way of life-countryside very "traditional" and "conservative"-appeals to young people
2. What is the advantage of Intermediate Technology?
Intermediate Technology is often known as "Appropriate Technology"
It involves using local materials, labour and skills to come up with practical low cost solutions to basic problems. It does not require large scale projects that depend on foreign aid or workers. It is low cost, low maintenance, sustainable technology best suited to the economy and culture it is intended to support and which makes use of locally available skills, tools and materials. Examples of appropriate technology include
Biogas plants -Biogas is a mixture comprising mainly methane and carbon dioxide. It is produced when organic matter decomposes in the abscence of oxygen. About 57% of energy in India is generated this way.
two-wheeled iron trailers that can be attached to a bicycle to carry heavy loads of food, water or even passengers
energy efficient stoves using local materials that consume less than half the fuel compared to a traditional open fire.
The Wind-up radio and the computer and communication system planned by the Jhai Foundation are independent from power supply.
There is also the Grameen Bank's telephone network which gives Bangladeshi villagers access to communication.
[
Saturday, November 25, 2006
London map exhibition
A major new exhibition has been opened at the British Library in London to display historical maps of the City. Called "London in Maps, the exhibition includes maps, panoramic views, letters, and ephemera from the British Library collectionand will bring to life the city's transformation from a Roman outpost to the huge, heaving metropolis of today. It will also look to the Olympic and post-Olympic future.
It will let you see how London has developed over nearly 2,000 years to become Europe's largest city - 300 languages, all major religions and 7,000,000 people of many nationalities, a city that never stops and perpetually reinvents itself.
Highlights include:
the earliest view of London, from a Roman medal of 296 AD
real history of the A-Z from 1652 onwards
original hand-drawn map for the reconstruction of London drawn within months of the Great Fire of 1666
surviving fragment of the most beautiful map of London, by Wenceslas Hollar
psychedelic panorama of Carnaby Street in 1970
If you are in London between now and late March, take some time out to visist this exhibition; if not, click here for a virtual tour: you can then click on map pins on Google Map, to be directed to maps and pictures, as well as podcasts and video clips.
It will let you see how London has developed over nearly 2,000 years to become Europe's largest city - 300 languages, all major religions and 7,000,000 people of many nationalities, a city that never stops and perpetually reinvents itself.
Highlights include:
the earliest view of London, from a Roman medal of 296 AD
real history of the A-Z from 1652 onwards
original hand-drawn map for the reconstruction of London drawn within months of the Great Fire of 1666
surviving fragment of the most beautiful map of London, by Wenceslas Hollar
psychedelic panorama of Carnaby Street in 1970
If you are in London between now and late March, take some time out to visist this exhibition; if not, click here for a virtual tour: you can then click on map pins on Google Map, to be directed to maps and pictures, as well as podcasts and video clips.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
More glacial melting
A report on tonight's BBC news highlighted the concerns glaciologists from Southampton University have over the rapidly disappearing ice fields in Norway. The scientists are concerned about the increasing pace at which the ice melts, and what impact this may have on the globe's climate. This is just one of a number of stories from around the world which all point to the same thing-a massive increase in the rate at which the world's reservoirs of fresh water are melting.
For example, The Columbia Glacier in Alaska has retreated by nine miles since 1980 and is discharging 2 cubic miles of ice annually into the Prince William Sound, the equivalent of 100,000 ships packed with ice 150 m long.
However, the difficulty is isolating the differences between long term cyclical changes in the world's temperature (caused by atmospheric and other natural factors) and those which are directly caused by human causes of global warming, eg CO 2 emissions; burning fossil fuels)
For example, The Columbia Glacier in Alaska has retreated by nine miles since 1980 and is discharging 2 cubic miles of ice annually into the Prince William Sound, the equivalent of 100,000 ships packed with ice 150 m long.
However, the difficulty is isolating the differences between long term cyclical changes in the world's temperature (caused by atmospheric and other natural factors) and those which are directly caused by human causes of global warming, eg CO 2 emissions; burning fossil fuels)
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Threats to seas and oceans
Here is what Peter (SIII) wrote
There should be a lot of concern because so much waste is being dumped that the sea will become a mess of rubbish and sewage and one thing affects another, eg like a marine tanker accident pours thousands of gallons of oil into the sea and therefore thousands of fish die so the fishing industry will lose buisness but in poorer countries people will be forced to eat the poissoned fish and they can become ill and may have childrenborn with defects. Dumping sewage into the sea looks bad and in places such as the Mediterranean Sea can seriously pollute the water as most water stays in the sea and doesn't circulate so the pollution stays there and now this sea is one of the most polluted in the world. Fishing is good in controlled amounts but overfishing on species such as cod is a serious problem and can wipe out species completely causing a chain reaction to fish higher up the food chain.
There should be a lot of concern because so much waste is being dumped that the sea will become a mess of rubbish and sewage and one thing affects another, eg like a marine tanker accident pours thousands of gallons of oil into the sea and therefore thousands of fish die so the fishing industry will lose buisness but in poorer countries people will be forced to eat the poissoned fish and they can become ill and may have childrenborn with defects. Dumping sewage into the sea looks bad and in places such as the Mediterranean Sea can seriously pollute the water as most water stays in the sea and doesn't circulate so the pollution stays there and now this sea is one of the most polluted in the world. Fishing is good in controlled amounts but overfishing on species such as cod is a serious problem and can wipe out species completely causing a chain reaction to fish higher up the food chain.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
River Devon
Describe the course and features of the Devon and its valley.
The River Devon is about 50m wide; it flows slowly westwards as it meanders across the flood plain. There is an oxbow lake at GR 942972, which is typical of middle or lower course. The gradient is very gentle, as the river only falls from 30m to less than 10m. At 8495 the Devon changes diretion and flows south into the Forth. For the last 300 m the river is tidal. The vally is wide and straight, with very steep slopes to the north, and gentler land to the south.
The River Devon is about 50m wide; it flows slowly westwards as it meanders across the flood plain. There is an oxbow lake at GR 942972, which is typical of middle or lower course. The gradient is very gentle, as the river only falls from 30m to less than 10m. At 8495 the Devon changes diretion and flows south into the Forth. For the last 300 m the river is tidal. The vally is wide and straight, with very steep slopes to the north, and gentler land to the south.
Monday, November 13, 2006
S2 Geography Assessments
Please note that S2 will have a Unit assessment in Geography next week, on Monday 20th November (2B) and Wednesday 22nd November(2A and 2C) the test will cover the recent work on Fieldwork. Click here for revision notes.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
More on Ox Bow Lakes
Click here for link to Rob Chambers' blog, which includes an exellent section on oxbow lakes
S4 Ink Exercise Answers
S4 Homework Sample Answer
Here are suggested answers for last week's ink exercise:
p.94 Q1 The UK has achieved greater international influence by being a member of the EU.part of a larger land area, therefore greater total production from crops, minerals, such as coal, oilpart of an organisation that has a combined population of 323 million, greater than the USA or Japan-these people make up a large market for British goods and servicesEU has a large GDP, which means that a lot of money is available to spend on eg regional assistance for poor areas, new roads, help for farmers
p94, Q2 The advantages of a selling alliance such as OPEC arethey can work together to guarantee a steady reliable income for member countries by controlling the supply and therefore the price of oilthe changes in in the price of oil arelow, steady (flatlining) from 1960 to 1973 at $3/barrellimmediate rise in 1973 after formation of OPEC to $10/barrellmore gentle rise in the late 70s to £12/barrelllarge spike from 1979-1980, taking price above $35/barrellhas dropped back down to $12 by 1986, only to rise again(For up to date information on oil prices, see Wikipedia article here. (Currently oil is about $56/barrell) )
p96 There is no one correct answer. All. three countries have benefitted from EU membership:access to larger marketsthey already trade with the EU, so this will now be cheaper as they can sell their good without incurring tariffseach country has over 80% of poor quality land which means that farmers may receive EU subsidiesNote:-The European Union (EU) has grown to its current size of 25 member states. There were five successive enlargements during this period, with the largest occurring on May 1, 2004, when 10 new member states joined. The EU will have 27 member states when further enlargement takes place in 2007 with the addition of Romania and Bulgaria. Negotiations are also underway with other states. The process of enlargement is sometimes referred to as European integration. The most contentious decision is whether to let Turkey join.
p.99 In what ways are the developing (ELDCs) and less developing (EMDCs) interdependent in trade.Interdependence arises from the fact that no one country in the world has all the raw materials, finished goods, services or skills that they need.All countries SPECIALISE-eg Japan produces electronic goods (PS3!) but no oil; Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries produces oil, but don;t make many electronic goods.EMDCs tend to purchase cheap raw materials from ELDCs, often because they are only found in such countries-eg cocoa, coffee, iron, timberELDCs are often unable to process or manufacture their raw materials, so they need to purchase them from manufacturing nations.
p.99 Q4The countries are interdependent up to a point; The total value of exports of each countries to the other is quite similar. However, Ghana is more dependent on the UK than the other way around-27% of its exports go to the UK; but only 0.2% of our exports go to Ghana. We do rely on Ghana for certain essential commodities, such as cocoa (chocolate) and aluminium (many goods made of this light metal). Ghana needs to import oils and machinery from the UK, for example, which are essential to its manufacturing
Here are suggested answers for last week's ink exercise:
p.94 Q1 The UK has achieved greater international influence by being a member of the EU.part of a larger land area, therefore greater total production from crops, minerals, such as coal, oilpart of an organisation that has a combined population of 323 million, greater than the USA or Japan-these people make up a large market for British goods and servicesEU has a large GDP, which means that a lot of money is available to spend on eg regional assistance for poor areas, new roads, help for farmers
p94, Q2 The advantages of a selling alliance such as OPEC arethey can work together to guarantee a steady reliable income for member countries by controlling the supply and therefore the price of oilthe changes in in the price of oil arelow, steady (flatlining) from 1960 to 1973 at $3/barrellimmediate rise in 1973 after formation of OPEC to $10/barrellmore gentle rise in the late 70s to £12/barrelllarge spike from 1979-1980, taking price above $35/barrellhas dropped back down to $12 by 1986, only to rise again(For up to date information on oil prices, see Wikipedia article here. (Currently oil is about $56/barrell) )
p96 There is no one correct answer. All. three countries have benefitted from EU membership:access to larger marketsthey already trade with the EU, so this will now be cheaper as they can sell their good without incurring tariffseach country has over 80% of poor quality land which means that farmers may receive EU subsidiesNote:-The European Union (EU) has grown to its current size of 25 member states. There were five successive enlargements during this period, with the largest occurring on May 1, 2004, when 10 new member states joined. The EU will have 27 member states when further enlargement takes place in 2007 with the addition of Romania and Bulgaria. Negotiations are also underway with other states. The process of enlargement is sometimes referred to as European integration. The most contentious decision is whether to let Turkey join.
p.99 In what ways are the developing (ELDCs) and less developing (EMDCs) interdependent in trade.Interdependence arises from the fact that no one country in the world has all the raw materials, finished goods, services or skills that they need.All countries SPECIALISE-eg Japan produces electronic goods (PS3!) but no oil; Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries produces oil, but don;t make many electronic goods.EMDCs tend to purchase cheap raw materials from ELDCs, often because they are only found in such countries-eg cocoa, coffee, iron, timberELDCs are often unable to process or manufacture their raw materials, so they need to purchase them from manufacturing nations.
p.99 Q4The countries are interdependent up to a point; The total value of exports of each countries to the other is quite similar. However, Ghana is more dependent on the UK than the other way around-27% of its exports go to the UK; but only 0.2% of our exports go to Ghana. We do rely on Ghana for certain essential commodities, such as cocoa (chocolate) and aluminium (many goods made of this light metal). Ghana needs to import oils and machinery from the UK, for example, which are essential to its manufacturing
Thursday, November 09, 2006
s4 HOMEWORK
FOR TUESDAY 14TH ;
1. completeyour description of how an ox bow lake is formed.
2. Go to Wednesday's post. Answer the question on the Three Gorges Dam
3. Study Mate-page 85 no,3; page 93; no.4; page 98 No.2
1. completeyour description of how an ox bow lake is formed.
2. Go to Wednesday's post. Answer the question on the Three Gorges Dam
3. Study Mate-page 85 no,3; page 93; no.4; page 98 No.2
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Three Gorges Project
Stndard Grade pupils note that the recently completed Three Gorges Project in China affords a useful example of a major development in which there are advantages and disadvantages. Such evaluation questions are common in both General and Credit papers.
Eg "Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the Three Gorges Project" (ES, 6 marks)
Click on the link to the Guardian's interactive guide here to find out more; use this, and the Wikipedia articles to post an answer.
Thank You!
Thanks are due to second-year pupils Blair, Peter, Sarah and Hannah for helping in room 6 at the Open Evening.
Eg "Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the Three Gorges Project" (ES, 6 marks)
Click on the link to the Guardian's interactive guide here to find out more; use this, and the Wikipedia articles to post an answer.
Thank You!
Thanks are due to second-year pupils Blair, Peter, Sarah and Hannah for helping in room 6 at the Open Evening.
Traffic Survey Findings
Task
Look at the information which was gathered by one S2 class in October.
1.Describe how to carry out a traffic survey
2.Using either graph paper or excel, make up suitable graphs to show the results for each question.
3. Describe and exlain the results in as much detail as possible
Findings
How did you travel to Kilmacolm today?
Car 48
bus 13
taxi 0
walk 41
other 2
Total 104
Number of cars owned by interviewees
1 car 53
2 cars 29
3 cars 5
4 cars 2
5, 6, 7, 8-none
9 cars (!!) 1
How often do you travel to Glasgow?
daily 10
weekly 27
monthly 20
infrequently 33
Are you hapy with transport facilities to/from UK
Yes 34
No 45
Sometimes 20
What age group were the interviewees?
under 18 2
19-25 2
26-35 12
36-55 - 27
56-65- 20
Look at the information which was gathered by one S2 class in October.
1.Describe how to carry out a traffic survey
2.Using either graph paper or excel, make up suitable graphs to show the results for each question.
3. Describe and exlain the results in as much detail as possible
Findings
How did you travel to Kilmacolm today?
Car 48
bus 13
taxi 0
walk 41
other 2
Total 104
Number of cars owned by interviewees
1 car 53
2 cars 29
3 cars 5
4 cars 2
5, 6, 7, 8-none
9 cars (!!) 1
How often do you travel to Glasgow?
daily 10
weekly 27
monthly 20
infrequently 33
Are you hapy with transport facilities to/from UK
Yes 34
No 45
Sometimes 20
What age group were the interviewees?
under 18 2
19-25 2
26-35 12
36-55 - 27
56-65- 20
S2 Geograhy in the news
2A have been looking at geography stories that are making the news this month They have created a map using "Paint", whch they can anotate; they are learning to import photos on to the map, too.
Each pair in the class will add a comment about geography in the news to this post
Each pair in the class will add a comment about geography in the news to this post
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
S4 Homework
Please post a comment to describe the change in velocity of the Winceby Beck from source to mouth. (for Thursday)
Monday, November 06, 2006
Transitus Holiday Destinations
Pupils in Mr McDougall's Transitus ICT class have been writing about where they went for their October Break-they have sent their comments to say more about where they went.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
S4 Meanders and Ox Bows
Can you work out where the river is?
What is the main land use? Why?
This is classic lower course drainage, wit a river meandering across a very broad, low-lying flood plain.
You need to be able to
Identify a flood plain on a map and on an aerial photograph (see photo above)
Identify an Ox Bow lake on a map and on an aerial photograph
Describe how an Ox Bow lake is formed
Describe the human geography (ie ways in which people use this kind of landscape
Identifying a flood plain on a map:
Click here for link to multimap image-the flat land on either side of the River Clyde is the flood plain
Identifying an Ox Bow Lake
Click here for photograph of a potential Ox Bow Lake (why does the photographer call this is potential Ox Bow lake)
Suggest what might happen during a flood, when the river has more power and erosion
Use your textbook or GeoWiki to draw out a labelled diagram to show how an Ox Bow lake is formed.
The human geography of meanders and Ox Bow lakes
Click here for map of Durham. The River Wear cuts into the surrounding land, creating an incised meander that provides a defensive site for the city. Compare this to the aerial photograph here.
Emma Maersk-the face of globalisation
If you want to know what is meant be globalisation and international trade, look no further than the Emma Maersk (pictured above)
Said to be the world's largest container vessel the Emma Maersk arrived in at the massive port of Felixstowe, Suffolk, to unload 45,000 tonnes of Christmas goods from China. Hundreds of spectators lined the shore to watch as it was guided into port by three tugs. The ship is a quarter of a mile long, 200ft high and as wide as a motorway. Its cargo of toys, books, computers, Christmas crackers, decorations and food, are bound for Britain and mainland Europe.
Paul Davey, of the Port of Felixstowe, said the size of the load reflected the increase of trade with China.
"This year alone we have seen a 16% increase in the volume of goods coming in from China. The year before that it was 24%, so it is continuing at a considerable pace of increase," he said.
The ship's Danish owner, Maersk Line, said the Emma Maersk was "one of the most environmentally friendly" container-vessels built, but campaigners have warned of the environmental damage such giant ships could cause.
"The environmental costs of long-distance trade need to be properly taken into account," said Dr Caroline Lucas, Green Party MEP for South East England.
"We must manage international trade in a way which is socially and environmentally sustainable, working towards global agreement on measures such as fuel taxes and import tariffs designed to support home-grown businesses.
Click here to see more photos of this ship on Flickr
Thursday, November 02, 2006
S4 River Studies
Homework for Tuesday 7th November
(a) Written work (in jotter)
"Standard Grade Study Mate"
Page 94-96, questions 1, 2 and 4; p.99 Q4 (Stuck? see http://www.scalloway.org.uk/trad.htm )
(b) Background reading
The Georesources website has a section on virtual fieldwork. Log on at http://www.georesources.co.uk/darentintro.htm to find out how the river changes downstream. You will also find references to fieldwork methods and equipment.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
S2
Shopping Survey-A way of gathering data
2A took part in a shopping survey in Kilmacolm on Wednesday morning -each group made up some questions to find out more about the shopping habits of local people. they then trialled their questions with a sample of shoppers. It was a cold, sunny and dry day, but there were few people out and about at 9.45!
On Friday we shall look at the types of questions we used , and work together to produce an agreed format. Some of the class have already posted comments-well done! Everyone should have posted their comments by Friday 0900!
In your comments-let me know what questions to ask? What kind of question to ask? (eg open? closed? multiple choice?)
We shall be looking at how to use online survey tools, such as SurveyMonkey-have a look at this site and imagine how you might use it!
Dundee Quiz -Fun!
There are 5 questions on Dundee (where the teachers' conference was) on Saturday's posting:-e-mail me the answers!!
Open Evening-Wednesday 8th November
Thanks to those pupils who offered to help-remember to bring in your consent form on Friday.
2A took part in a shopping survey in Kilmacolm on Wednesday morning -each group made up some questions to find out more about the shopping habits of local people. they then trialled their questions with a sample of shoppers. It was a cold, sunny and dry day, but there were few people out and about at 9.45!
On Friday we shall look at the types of questions we used , and work together to produce an agreed format. Some of the class have already posted comments-well done! Everyone should have posted their comments by Friday 0900!
In your comments-let me know what questions to ask? What kind of question to ask? (eg open? closed? multiple choice?)
We shall be looking at how to use online survey tools, such as SurveyMonkey-have a look at this site and imagine how you might use it!
Dundee Quiz -Fun!
There are 5 questions on Dundee (where the teachers' conference was) on Saturday's posting:-e-mail me the answers!!
Open Evening-Wednesday 8th November
Thanks to those pupils who offered to help-remember to bring in your consent form on Friday.
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