Clarification details
Updated August 2016. This is a new document to address issues that have arisen from moderation.
The personal action
The personal action requires developing a range of possible actions and outcomes to be analysed. For example, students need to weigh up which actions might be more effective in terms of contributing to aspects (more than one) of sustainability.
Time frame and steps of action
One or more actions are planned with timelines and considerations projected. Modifications to the plan are also needed. Providing a time frame for their chosen action allows students to develop a logical sequence of activity that can contribute to its effectiveness and to provide check points for their evaluation.
Ethical considerations
Students need to show that ethical issues have been considered. Contexts that require ethical considerations may include: pest control, e.g. trapping, shooting, poisoning; the use of chemicals for weed/pest control, consultation, protocols, working near or on significant cultural areas, etc.
Evaluating the personal action in terms of aspects of sustainability
More than one aspect of sustainability needs to be referred to and explained in terms of how their action/s may contribute to them. The action plan should specify the aspects of sustainability to be addressed, and the evaluation needs to explain how the personal action contributed to these aspects (of sustainability).
In-depth evaluation for Merit
At Merit, students have drawn informed conclusions. For example, they are using a range of evidence to discuss how their own attitudes and behaviours have changed. They demonstrate that they have internalised the connections between their action and aspects of sustainability, and this has been informed by data that tells of the effectiveness (or not) of their action.
Critical evaluation for Excellence
Evidence for insightful conclusions, for Excellence, may include:
- innovative ideas that are original and go beyond what they have learned from the activity
- creative solutions that might be realised
- a synthesising of the information that has resulted in new and visionary ideas
- implications for further action in local or wider contexts.