In the UK and elsewhere, planning public inquiries are held to allow public
debate when there is concern over a land development decision. Using the f
ormat of the inquiry provides geography students, usually working in teams,
with the opportunity to investigate an environmental issue from a particul
ar point of view and then to present their case as an oral presentation and
a written report. Students have to take responsibility for managing the pr
oject, collecting supporting information and preparing their presentation.
The format therefore allows the delivery of part of a geography curriculum
as well as the development of key skills in a non-didactic setting. Experie
nce shows that students greatly enjoy working within this non-standard form
at, and are highly motivated to produce good performances at the 'inquiry'.