Excursion Method of Teaching
Dr. PK Astalin
Asst. Professor, Dept. of Education, University of Allahabad, Allahabad
Dr. Sangeeta Chauhan
Asst. Professor, School of Education, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow
Abstract :- Experience is very powerful source of method. Field trip, tour are the synonyms of
knowledge. It can be gain by interacting any living excursion. Lucy Mitchell, a pioneer thinker of early
or non-living objects. The extension of knowledge childhood education considered field trips should
is expanding day to day in the present era. be a vital part of the social studies programme.
Teaching is a form of interaction between two or
more than two person for transmitting Children have the opportunity to
information by different ways. The way of experience real life from outside the classroom
transmitting information by the interaction with their teachers, peers or family. Through
between two or more people in a disciplined taking a trip children can observe social systems
manner is known as teaching method. Excursion and the different roles such as fire and police
method is an impressive and important teaching protection, traffic control, banking, shopping and
method which can be used in many disciplines like other relative systems can understand easily.
as geography, history, physics, chemistry, culture, Excursions also provide children with first hand
political science, archeology, geophysics, genetics, experiences in which they can develop further in
literature, music, fine art, etc. Specially, this language and literacy, gaining new vocabulary and
method is used in behavioral sciences. The word problem-solving skills. The involvement of parents
‘excursion’ means a journey, trip, tour planned for and related family members can encourage
social studies students in which the students children to have weekend trip to nearest visiting
actually visit places or site and has the first hand places.
experience which excursion results in easy,
In the early childhood setting, an
interesting and effective learning. It provides
excursion needs to be well planned for travel,
ample opportunities to student for ‘seeing’
meals, written permission, water arrangement,
‘hearing’ examining, gathering data, and asking
medicine kit etc. for the day. A carefully planned
questions, such excursion are most conducive to
trip will result in benefits to learn about the world
learning. Excursion method of teaching provides
around them. Children’s learning and development
an opportunity to learners to visit different places
are enhanced through direct interaction with not
across the world for their academic enhancement.
only the man made world around them, but the
Main features and purposes of this method are
natural world too. It reminds us to ensure our
elaborated briefly. Types of excursion and its steps
visits for establishing a lifelong love and enjoyment
involved in this method are explained. Authors
of our natural world. Being in contact with the
also explain the major characteristics of excursion
natural world develops a love of nature and
method of teaching including with its merits and
children can truly learn to become caretakers and
limitations. Finally, the major precautions of
nurturer’s of our environment. Children can
excursion method of teaching and some suggested
become social and environmental problem solvers
excursions are briefly discussed in this article.
by developing values of co-operation and sharing
Introduction :- Experiences can be gain by sensory responsibility to each others.
organs. Children and adults inspire by visual and
Zoo, animal parks, beach, rivers,
sensory experiences to enhance their knowledge.
mountains are the places where children can see,
In the early childhood period there are huge
touch and feel living animals, insects, birds and sea
opportunities to expose children for acquiring new
creatures which result a wonderful way to increase
experiences through excursions being one
1
children’s knowledge and appreciation of the learning environment (NLE) is a form of alternative
other creatures in our environment. Excursions are education. NLE are considered to be places of
also a fantastic way to empower children to education that tap into the natural learning
explore confidently and ask questions to make abilities of a student.
sense of the world they see around them. It
increases the enthusiasm questioning skills in Features of Excursion Method of Teaching :
children. Children also learn different social rules
It makes learning more effective to gain real
in different settings. For example, in a library or
ideas on the topic.
the Museum people are advised or requested to
It motivates students through increased
speak quieter and respectful tone of voice.
interest and curiosity which results students
Excursions are a unbelievable medium for children
will develop positive attitudes in students
and adults to learn alongside each other and make
toward related classroom activities.
discoveries together. Children and adults enhance
It increases student-student and student-
experiences through sharing knowledge, listening
teacher social interaction which supports
and talking to each other.
cooperative learning strategies. This method
Excursion Method of Teaching :- The word provides an opportunity to involve students,
‘excursion’ means a journey, trip, tour planned for parents, and the teachers in the instructional
social studies students in which the students program. The interaction between students
actually visit places or site and has the first hand within themselves will also be increased when
experience which excursion results in easy, they work in groups. Moreover, the interaction
interesting and effective learning. It provides between the students and teacher will enhance
ample opportunities to student for ‘seeing’ as the students will have to discuss to the
‘hearing’ examining, gathering data, and asking teachers when they have doubts.
questions, such excursion are most conducive to It develops social awareness among people
learning. Excursion method of teaching provides which results to bring close to each person of
an opportunity to learners to visit different places community. It makes students aware of
across the world for their academic enhancement. learning activities in everyday life.
Research states that excursions are Purpose of Excursion Method of Teaching :
effective and novel pedagogy and teachers report
To enhance the curriculum. This method
wanting to use them more frequently. However,
provides opportunity students to involve in a
for optimal learning benefit the outcomes of the
real world experience which makes learning
excursion need to be integrated into the set
more meaningful and memorable comparing to
teaching program (Michie, 1998). Short excursions
regular classroom instructional programs.
for education or for observations of natural
phenomena are called field trips. One-day To enrich experiential learning experiences. To
educational field studies are often made by classes meet first hand information.
as extracurricular exercises, e.g. to visit a natural To develop concrete skills such as note taking.
or geographical feature. Excursion provides natural Students have to develop various skills such as
learning environments to children as well as adults note taking skills, speaking skills, writing skills
too. Webb (2000) emphasizes natural learning will enhance.
environments (NLE). Not everyone learns in the To increase involvement in a real world
same way, nor do they have the same learning experiences.
ability. Some students learn better in school To understand social laboratory setting.
environments whereas others do not. Perhaps Students may not learn the importance of
their learning needs don’t fit into the normal social skills until they observe what goes on in a
classroom structure and environment. This is when real society where interrelationship, social
the use of natural learning environments may be mobility, social change etc. can be realized.
beneficial. Webb (2000) suggested that a natural
2
Types of Excursion Method of Teaching : Inform parents about the trips.
Create a list of student names and home phone
1. Instructional Excursion :- An instructional
number for emergency.
excursion is a visit by a class or group of classes to
a location outside the regular classroom, which is 3. Field Trip Preparation/Pre-trip discussion :
designed to allow the students to achieve specific
course objectives, which cannot be achieved as Discuss the purpose of the field trip.
efficiently by other means. An example of an Show photographs or posters of the site.
instructional field trip is a visit to botanical garden Set a standard conduct and discuss money
to study about different kind of flower. usage, lunch plans, dress code and other
necessary things.
2. School Contests or Festivals :- In a school Discuss how to ask good questions and make a
contest or festival students get an opportunity to list of open-ended observation questions to
demonstrate knowledge and skills through subject gather information.
area instruction. Contests, competitions, festivals, Overview the field trip schedule.
or evaluations may involve teams of students from
more than one class or subject. The school level 4. The Field Trip :
essay competition, games, cultural demonstration
etc. are some examples of school contests or Let students to sketch if it is necessary.
festivals. Ask prepared questions and note the answers.
Do things that you have planned.
3. Motivational Excursion :- A motivational
excursion is an extra-campus activity. It is not a 5. Post-field Trip :
part of a classroom activity. It provides a
Let student to share their observations and
motivational incentive for the school, club, group,
reactions to field trip experiences.
or class and is related to improving the school
Create classroom bulletin board displaying
climate. An example of a motivational trip is an
materials collected while on field trip.
end of year visit to Buddha point by a student
Let class to compose thank-you letter to those
body.
who helped during the field trip. Include special
Step in Excursion Method of Teaching : information learned.
1. Selection of Places of Excursion 6. Evaluating Field trip :
Identify objectives and plan of evaluation for
What was the unique educational value in this
the field visit.
trip?
Select the place to visit and arrange date and
Did students meet the objectives?
time.
Was there adequate time?
Conduct pre-visit to familiarize yourself with
the major features of the field and obtain Was there adequate staff and adult
address, directions, contact person and mobile supervision?
numbers. What might be done differently to be better?
What points to be emphasized next time?
2. Logistics Planning : What problems should be addressed in the
future?
Apply for administrative approval and file
requisition for transportation. Advantages of Excursion Method of Teaching :
Make arrangement for meals and develop There are some advantages of excursion method
schedule for the day. of teaching which are given below:
Arrange special equipments like cameras and
collect money for admission fees if the site
demands.
3
Excursion method of teaching provides direct Some Suggested Excursions :
source of knowledge and acquaint the student
with first hand information. (a) Excursions to Industrial Centres : It will be
They provide an opportunity to the student for quite useful and will benefit the students and
development of his aesthetic sense. enrich their experiences about working of
It helps in developing qualities of industries in India.
resourcefulness, self- confidence, initiative and (b) Excursions to Places of Geographical
leadership amongst students. Importance : Places of geographical importance
It helps in developing cooperative attitude and should be arranged to explain to students the
various others need and importance of locality and regions of the
It helps in proper utilization of leisure. country in context of trade, commerce and
industry etc. Such an excursion will help the
It Brings reality in teaching. It motivates the
students to get an idea of the exact location of
students for self-study and self-activity.
dams, projects, industries, ports and harbors etc.
Gives concrete experience.
(c) Visits to Museum : National museums,
Disadvantages of Excursion Method of Teaching :
planetariums, science city and laboratories are
These are following:
excellent centres for giving real knowledge to
Time consuming. students in various areas of learning. Such
It is not applicable to all the students of the knowledge is more stable and permanent.
students.
Conclusion : Excursion method of teaching is an
It is expensive.
alternative teaching strategy of classroom
teaching. It snosnenege pogtsporgt pe tnese pe
Precautions Excursion Method of Teaching : There
.nronstnern te gtn gsetetet pe gnertnseIg tee snne
are some major precautions while this method is
gstnr eer gnegnr st gnertnser rstgtr gnertnser
used for teaching the teacher should keep the
eoonsstepse eer gtn eogtns eer epoer gp sn e oeespn
following points in mind:
eer rpswespnteaching .opeeIg te rtgt gtn trnee pe
eseeegpt rtet gp netetn te etnpr tnpotet gtpen rtp n
Discipline should be maintained while the
.rpsw gteg gtte opee te osnenegnr
students are learning during excursion.
Lodging and food arrangement should be made References :-
comfortable.
The teacher should direct and guide the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excursion
students in proper manner with the help of http://awarecitizens.blogspot.in//20/0202meth
map, charts etc. ods-of-teaching-its-characteristics.html
After the excursions or travels the teacher http://eprogressiveportfolio.blogspot.in/
should point out the particular chapter to /20/0200field-trip-strategy.html
strengthen the experience and to give a solid http://www.preservearticles.com/
foundation to the knowledge. /0200280302000what-are-the-purposes-and-
Students should be asked and encouraged to advantages-of-excursion.html
note down important things. Such things shall
be useful in the classroom and proper study of
the subject.
