field trips
What is the best way to get the students organized for a field trip?
David,
Good planning. No one would want to spend time in an activity already known to be "safe but boring". Good field trips motivate, inspire and enthuse students, and as a result their interest and effort in class is enhanced, and their performance and knowledge about the profession is improved.
Barry Westling
In my field, Criminal Justice Education, we have a large selection of places to go, and things to experience.
To reduce this to a more manageable number, and focus the Students attention, I ask the them early on in the Semester what THEY would like to see and do, rather than pulling out a list of "safe", yet boring field trip topics that I have used before.
It serves to engage them, give them input in what they are learning over and above of what I have planned, and reduces the "boredom effect" for them and ME as well.
Bill,
Yeah, it's great when students can visualize themselves in the actual work setting they're being prepared for.
Barry Westling
I love the field trips because everything we tell the students while going to school,they can actually start putting everything together and realise there was a reason why we focus on attendance and safty as well as the learning.
William,
Great. Rarely have I seen students not benefit and enjoy the field trip experience.
Barry Westling
The students just completed a field trip of the med center and their instructor was interelating the actual work area with the class lecture. He was very happy to of done this, and can see how it is improving his classes understanding of his lecture. Yes, he is going to be using the field trip as a tool in his tool box of instruction in the future.
Tara,
Wonderful. I'm sure this will be a lifelong and memorable experience, with students referring "to the time we went to... etc."
Barry Westling
We are looking at providing our students with a field trip to a facility that deals with mental health issues. It is going to be a big effort to make this trip happen and go fairly easily. Luckily all the students will be able to drive themselves there. Tara
Sebastian,
Right. Building on past successful outings can contribute more significant and/or meaningful activities. And planning is key to making these consistently successful. Of course the benefit is the experience obtained by the student, often a career-long memory.
Barry Westling
I believe that time plays an important factor in planning trips. Given enough time to prepare for a trip only makes it more successful.
I also like to receive student input as to the places they would like to go, no matter how "extreme" the location may seem. With enough planning, those locations may not be as extreme as once thought.
Lastly, advice from senior instructors as to previous trip are always helpful in the process.
Lila,
Probably no one best way, yet many instructors are methodical in their planning. They define the prefered locations and activities they want their students to expeierence. They make contact with several potential individuals that can assist with gaining approval. Next, coordinating the activity including who, what, where, when. When these details are identified, students need notice and reminders. Carpooling may be needed and if so, it's best that the driver provide proof of insurance and a copy of their drivers license on hand. Instructors who call ahead on the day (or days) before tend to limit unexpected interruptions in the plan. Some instructors will prep their their students with potential quetions to ask or things to look for and ask about during the activity. Also, some may prepare post activity questions to asssure their students are participating fully.
Barry Westling
