INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY 3(2+1)

Lesson 11 : Group Methods

Field trip

Field trips are an excellent means of providing opportunities to participants to observe and experience things/ objects/activities in natural settings. When the participants are exposed to real world, they get firsthand experience and can relate their practical experience with theory. The learners also experience sensory impressions which could never occur in class rooms but are characteristic of the environment in which the new behaviour must occur. Field trips, tours or excursions may or may not be participative learning experiences but the success depends on how well the trips are organized and executed to meet the learning objectives. Field trip should be pertinent to the need of the learner and as much appropriate as possible to real situations.

Objectives

1. To expose the visitors to a new and different situation this shall help in changing their outlook and extend their mental horizon.
2. To understand the gap in technology adoption
3. To explore the feasibility of adopting new practices in visitor’s own situations
4. To induce a spirit of competition amongst the participants by showing what others have been able to achieve

The steps required for planning effective field trips are as follows

• Design experiences that meet specific objectives and needs of the participants
• Select most appropriate site for the expected learning to occur
• Plan logistics like lodging, boarding, transportation etc.
• Select individual to accompany participants during the field trips. It is extremely useful for the trainer to accompany the participants during the field trip to enhance group process of observing and studying the field situation
• Follow-up the field visit through reports and discussions
• The field trip as a training method has the advantage of giving an opportunity to the participants to observe and get first hand information in natural settings; relate their practical experience to theoretical knowledge covered in a course; discover and supplement those realities that can’t be brought to the classroom situation, and break the monotony of learning. The natural setting facilities in developing interdependency when participants work in small groups of individuals and there by develop team spirit .The report writing after field trip is an essential component helps the participants to systematically collect analyze and present information.

Disadvantages:

1. It is a time consuming and cost effective process.
2. Field trip requires high coordination ability on the part of the trainer.
3. If field trips are not planned carefully then the effectiveness of this method may get lost.
4. Sometimes when participants consider field trips as a pleasure trip and sources of entertainment then the purpose of fieldtrip get diluted.
5. If the follow up of field trip is not done then it becomes difficult to analyze the success of the field trips.