Using field trips to enhance alternative learning methods

Introduction

In the previous article “Alternative Learning Methods: Which One Is For You?”, We discussed some alternative methods currently in use that have replaced traditional learning in many cases. A common drawback to some alternative learning methods is a clear lack of practical experience on the part of the student. In fact, it would be a serious oversight to attempt to educate ourselves, our children, or our students by any means without providing the opportunities available for intimate personal exposure to a wide variety of places, animal things, and the environment in general. “Learning in a box” must be avoided at all costs if comprehensive development is to be achieved. With virtual education, independent study, and homeschooling in particular, a series of ongoing field trips should be scheduled to enhance the learning experience.

Virtual education courses and programs

Courses and programs that are taken entirely online or through the use of computers have gained enormous popularity in recent times. With the advent of better, faster, and cheaper laptops and personal computers, students can bring the learning process to almost every facet of their lives using CR-ROM and the Internet to supplement their skills, knowledge, and learning. Learning strategies like web missions, online forums, moderated chats, instant messaging (I / M) have slowed down a whole new vision of education for children and adults alike. Local sites and facilities that are related to the study topic would make interesting and useful field trips.

Independent study

Independent study involves designing a project that students complete by various means on their own. Collective work may require a series of intricately interacting facets to complete. Research research, writing, field trips, interviews, extensive reading, and lectures may be involved and required to complete project work. The final production is usually a presentation, paper or report that praises the details of the student’s work and the knowledge acquired. Independent learning should be complemented by as many local or regional field trips, related to their studies, as possible, so that the student more fully internalizes the material.

Homeschooling

When a student does not attend a traditional public or private school, but has classes taught at home by parents and / or guardians, the concurrent term used is homeschooling. Various methods, alone or in combination, can be used to inform and educate the student. With increased crime and violence in public (free) school systems in many countries, more and more families are turning to this once defamed way of educating their children. Expanding the student’s world with a wide range of excursions will do wonders by providing the inculcation necessary to more fully develop the student’s intelligences.

Field trips

Associated with both a traditional school setting and independent learning, field trips consist of students visiting a location outside of their school or home to learn about a topic or topic. Tours and visits can be done locally, regionally, or even as part of a “semester abroad” experience. Summer is frequently used for this purpose, as inclement weather is much more common in fall and winter. An effective learning strategy, this method requires a teacher or guide to fully achieve it. Additionally, scheduling visits to some locations may be difficult or impossible for the individual student. Places visited can include locations such as:

or manufacturing facilities

or breweries, distilleries

or museums

or historical sites and buildings

or tombs, cemeteries and monuments

a park

or the zoo and petting zoos

o Gardens, greenhouses, orchards and horticultural centers

or an aquarium

or dairy farms

Excursions to public service facilities such as:

or fire stations

or TV stations

or radio studios

o newspaper offices and printing facilities

or hospitals or health facilities

or police stations or detention centers

or water or waste treatment plants

or weather stations

To determine what is available locally, you can visit your local tourism office, chamber of commerce, city and state departments of education; check the yellow pages and the websites of businesses in the area. This should give you a list to start with. More are likely to be added as you gain contacts in business and industry. Ask for tips and advice on the go. People are almost always happy to help. Feel free to contact me for specific recommendations, references, and ideas.