Experiences out of the classroom: The importance of fieldwork in learning Geography at Secondary School

Volume 14 Issue 3 December - February 2019

Research Paper

Experiences out of the classroom: The importance of fieldwork in learning Geography at Secondary School

Thomas Firomumwe*

*Geography and Business Studies Teacher, King Solomon Commercial College of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Firomumwe, T. (2019). Experiences out of the classroom: The importance of fieldwork in learning Geography at Secondary School. i-manager’s Journal on School Educational Technology, 14(3), 16-24. https://doi.org/10.26634/jsch.14.3.15169

Abstract

Fieldwork is one of the traditional approaches adopted in holding instructional approaches in the field of geography. It was adopted in the discipline of geography because of its direct experience and exposure to learners. The present study investigates the importance of field trip in geography, and the importance of fieldwork in geography secondary schools was unveiled and barriers that inhibit fieldwork were identified. The research adopted qualitative approach in obtaining data. Research reveal that fieldwork is important in developing observation skills and other generic skills in geography. It was revealed that field investigation develops learner's cognitive understanding of the subject matter of geography. However, lack of finance and cooperation from the administration hinders effective implementation of fieldwork in secondary schools. From the results, it is recommended that administrators must commit themselves to the value of fieldwork in producing geographers with real and factual contemporary knowledge.