Field Trips
I have done several field trips for my students. But to get them all to agree due to transportation is very hard. Do you have any suggestions on how to present it so they will agree and be more enthusiastic about it?
Leslie,
Great! Field trips are usually well received. If we leave it without too much planning, it can be less than wonderful, so I always try to do as much behind the scenes planning just to assure the experience is worthwhile and meaningful for my students.
Barry Westling
I feel that field trips help enhance the subject metter that we are teaching. We try to plan field trips to a variety of setting and for various reasons. Sometimes they are only for observations and others are for the opportunity to practice hands-on skills prior to fieldwork experiences. I thought the suggestion of having general questions for the students to answer was a great way to check their knowledge and attention to the trip.
Andric,
I ask for copies of drivers license and copies of insurance if I schedule a field trip and students are going to car pool. I also have them sign a simple waiver of liability potentially limiting the college from any litigation should there be some kind of difficulty traveling in route or return trip back.
Barry Westling
it is always good to plan a field trip and ask anyone who does not have any transportation if it would be ok to car pool with someone if that person does not mind with them rideing with them and also it gives them the opportunity to be there and not miss out on the trip or there education. so they wont have to come back to class and here the stories of what they missed out on
Michael,
Also, the nice thing about field trips is students often get to see an aspect of the job setting that they may not see or hear about in the cl;assroom. This can very inspiring and an motivational experience.
Barry Westling
Field trips are a good way to break the traditional lecture in class and gives the students a visual learning experiences outside of the classroom. I enjoyed it when I was in grade school!
Sundeep,
Great. These can be wonderful experiences, and having 6 planned activities should keep students involved and motivated. Experiences like this are usually memorable for a long time, way after the students has graduated. It's a nice job of coordinating and planning on your part.
Barry Westling
In fourth term is wwhen all my students go on 6 field trips. I plan ahead and put the trips on their calendars and always tell them to carpool together. They also have advance time to take ti,e off work as well. Most students are super exicted because most terms they do not have field trips
Cheryl,
Coordination can be simple or complicated depending on the approach taken when presenting the opportunity. For local activities lasting only a hour or so, I tell each student they are responsible for their own transportation. Carpoolers need to sign an approval form, listing who they will be ridesharing with. Obviously the driver has to be licensed and have proof of insurance. An attendance roster also is needed to record the time of departure, arrival, and time of return. Instructions for the expected times and when due back are needed to delay beginning class afterwards. Many years ago I acquired training for a bus license but the rules changed which prevented obtaining a license. In your state, that could be an option.
Barry Westling
