Field trips are educational
activities for an academic program. The aim of a field trip is to provide
practical knowledge of a subject outside a classroom setting. If, for example,
you are a history teacher, then your students might have question about ancient
civilization and you would want them to have a firsthand knowledge of such
sites. So naturally you would want them to visit a historical place to have a
practical experience. This is where field trips have an important role to play.
They allow students to see things out of the classroom and broaden their
horizons of knowledge. Organizing a field trip is a real challenge especially
if it involves going abroad, so you will need some guidelines about the whole
experience.
For planning a field trip, you have to
take into considerations some important factors that include the age group, abilities
and, above all, the interest of your students. Besides, you must have excellent
organizational and planning skills to oversee the whole trip. To know some
important tips about organizing a field trip for college students, you must
read on this helpful guide.
Here are some hands-on guidelines for
organizing a successful college field trip:
· Find
your Destination
Choose a destination
for your field trip. It must be something that relate with the students interest
or subject and offers them something to learn about. For example, if your
subject is ‘History’, then you can consider a ‘museum’ or ‘archaeological site’
as your destination.
· Check
out the Highlights
Take a
look at the destination’s website for details about rates, total members limit
or special packages if any. Look out for other information about what the site
has to offer for
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| Photo: Stockvault |
· Do All
the Procedures
Do all
the documentation formalities as per the policies of your school. Check with
the school authorities about insurance policy if any.
· Get
Permission from Parents and Arrange Chaperon
Ask
permission from the parents, informing them about the exact details for
location and fees of the field trip. Get some chaperons to look after the students.
Allocate one chaperone for 3-5 students. Make groups of students in terms of age,
level and behavior.
· Set Up
a Standby Classroom for Absentees
Arrange
activities for students who are not attending the field trip. Allocate a
teacher to look after their activities. If there are only a few students who
are not participating in the field trip, then accommodate them with other
students in a regular classroom.
· Demonstrate
Important Considerations
Arrange a
meeting with the students and discuss with them about the highlights of the
trip. Explain to them the behavior that is expected on a field trip. Do some
important drills required for different activities. For example, you can
demonstrate the students how they should handle antique objects if the field trip’s
destination is a Museum.
· Arrange
things in advance
Inform
students a week before the field trip. Collect the money and other
contributions a day before the event.
Remember!
· If there is any student with
disability, make sure to choose a place that has all the necessities for him.
· When writing a permission slip, include
all the nitty-gritty details, such as the wardrobe or any outfit.
· Get emergency contact number of every
student for any emergency.
