field trips
Field trips are most productive, if/when they are related to the subject that is being taught prior to the field trip exposure. after the fact field trips are often scheduled out of sync with the classroom training. what are your thoughts on this?.
Janis,
This sounds good. Alternatively, early on field trps can provide a motivation to want to learn. Both times, or intervals during the term, can be very effective activities.
Barry Westling
I typically schedule a field trip at the end of the term so that I can incorporate more of the content that has been presented throughout the entire term.
Hi Amy:
Field trips and guest speakers are a great way to renew interest in the material you’ve been discussing in class. It gives the student’s a chance to speak with people (possibly in the field they are training for), and gain a different and new perspective about the topics at hand.
Also, they might get the chance to ask some questions about the topics you’ve discussed and get a better understanding overall.
Regards, Barry
I also like that a field trip shows the students what the real world is all about. It helps them motivate and gives them a picture of what they could be doing when they graduate.
Hi Sarah:
Yes. There is powerful motivating force in the planned field trip. Besides seeing a glimpse of the real world, many students get inspired to try harder in class because they realize they will soon be graduating and working in that profession.
Sometimes, information the teaher has been pounding into the students will be spontaneously validated by something said or viewed. That's just too cool.
Regards, Barry
Students don't realize just how much planning and prep goes into even a short outing, but I do love to see that light in their eyes when they arrive and say this is what I'm working for.
Hi Summer:
Usually, for me, it takes a lot of planning and preparation just to do something simple. But the ones I plan I feel assist the students understanding of our current or general focus of the class, and I think students tend to remember these activities as much as the course work.
Reagrds, Barry
I cannot agree more. It makes no sense to conduct a field trip just for the sake of meeting a field trip requirement. It also has to be relevant and engaging for our students.
Hi Raymond:
When you have control on the timing of field trips, thats optimal. When you don't you can ask the presentr or guide to emphasize material that is pertinent to your current topic. Usually, the variety of something closely related to the topic will be received fairly well by students.
Regards, Barry
