A field trip is one of those activity-oriented methods, which engages the pupils to learn in groups as well as independently. There are two types of fieldwork. These are:
The structured type where the students are made aware of what tasks they are going to perform.
The unstructured type where they only have an idea of where they are visiting and would study whatever they wish in any way deemed fit.
Stages involved in planning successful field trips are as follows;
Pre-fieldwork activities: This where the teacher makes the necessary arrangements and thorough preparation before students step out of the classroom. This involves pre-field trip activities. First, the teacher will visit the chosen site to familiarize himself with the area to advise on what students may study there. Not forgetting procedures to follow when sending pupils outside the classroom i.e. inform the headteacher parents, and District Director of Education and obtain permission.
The next pre-fields activity is meeting with pupils to introduce the topic, whip up their enthusiasm and share the tasks that will be carried out during the visit. This is done usually in a lesson preceding the visit.
Fieldwork activities: Leaving the school for the field, take a headcount preferably through the groups formed. Ask pupils to check that all required materials have been collected. In the field, you must specify where should be the assembly spot. This is where all students will report (assemble at) before entering or leaving the fieldwork tasks and when they must reassemble again. After you have reminded them about good behavior, the group leaders take over. You have to keep your eyes on the groups by supervising or offering supervision Take another headcount before you return to school.
Post- fieldwork activities: From the field, students may come into their groups or after some days, to plan how the data collected in the field should be organized and presented.
The planning session is presided over by the leader as individual students contribute through discussions to formulate the plan. During the presentation, the reporter should report only the issues that have been agreed upon by the group. After the reporting sessions, the groups are given some time within which to put the final touches on their reports. Each of the groups should mount its final work so that each student in the class ass can get an overview of what has been studied.
