Well-planned, safely run, quality fieldwork can
benefit students’ learning
and personal development. Positive fieldwork
experiences may also encourage
students to continue their geographical
education at Key Stage 4 and
beyond. (RGS-IBG, 2007)
It is argued that fieldwork and out of classroom educational experiences, play an important part of gaining hands-on learning about the places and processes that are taught about in the geography curriculum.
The strength of the outdoor learning experience was reiterated at the GA’s Annual Conference in Derby 2007. There were several lectures and workshops, which all stressed the need for geography practioners to provide effective field learning opportunities for young people. This comes at a time where both the number of students studying Geography at KS4 and post 16 is in decline. Furthermore, there are less teachers willing to lead field teaching sessions for fear of being found negligent, if an accident was to occur. However, such risks are significantly reduced with careful planning and preparation. As Geography teachers, we would be doing our students a disservice, if we do not provide the opportunites for them to experience some of the features of which we teach.
At the GA Conference, one session aptly titled, 'Is a field visit more than just a day out?', presented by the Field Studies Council (FSC) Chief Executive Tony Thomas, reviewed the current research being undertaken into the educational value of out-of-classroom education. The lecture also examined the 'Education Outside the Classroom Manifesto' (published November 2006) assessing what it means and how it affects Geography practioners. During this lecture, Mr. Thomas gave an emotive speech about the importance of field teaching and the educational benefits. He argued that the outdoor classroom is the place where learning comes to life and from my own educational experiences I am inclined to agree.
