International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

June (2011) Vol. 2, No. 1

THE NEED AND IMPORTANCE OF FIELD TRIPS AT HIGHER LEVEL

Dr. Anila Fatima Shakil

Dr. Waqar-un-Nisa Faizi

Ms. Sana Hafeez

ABSTRACT
This study identifies the importance of educational field trips at higher level in different
universities of Karachi. This study was carried out through survey. The population of this study
was the students and teachers of both government and private universities. The ideas and
views of male and female students and teachers were sought out regarding the importance of
educational field trips at higher level. One hundred and fifty respondents including 50 teachers
and 100 students were randomly selected. The questionnaire was used as a research
instrument which was consisted of 28, 28 items, collected data was analyzed by using simple
percentage method. Majority of the respondents had a view that educational field trip is
helpful to cope up with advance learning. A large number of respondents opinioned that
educational field trip help to give a practical approach for the curriculum and it is helpful to
develop more interest in learning among students.

Key Words: Field trip, Higher level, Procedure, Progressive method, Tactile experiences,
Cognitive skill.

INTRODUTION
The purpose of education is to develop the knowledge, skill or character of students. Thus the
education is the process of learning and knowing, which is not restricted to our school or
textbooks. Education is very important for an individual life. Education is a major aspect of

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development of any modern society. The importance of education is evident at every stage of
education whether at primary, secondary, high secondary and in higher education. Universities
are the main institutions that provide higher education. MARY (2009) describes that higher
education is said to produce that essential balance between theory and real practice in any
given field. Higher education is viewed as a source of great potential for the socio-economic
and cultural development of the country. Higher education is rapidly changing our world and
changes the things in new form. Our need of change in this level not only in academic side but
student life also. As the students being the main clients of higher education. They are central
part of learning process. Therefore, they not only required quality education but also effective
and latest means of learning to have a better knowledge and have a command on what they
are studding presently so they will able to apply that knowledge in their future lives also. For
this purpose, different sort of activities like seminars, discussions, presentations, workshops,
local conferences, lectures and educational field trips are essentials to conduct at this level.
Especially the activity of educational field trips which are commonly conducted for the students
at higher level are one of the major source of providing knowledge to the students by giving
opportunity for self-experiences and observations and self long-lasting learning.

Wikipedia the free encyclopedia describes that a field trip or excursion is a journey by a
group of people to a place away from their normal environment. The purpose of the trip is
usually observation for education, non-experimental research or to provide students with
experience outside their everyday activities. Field trips give them a chance to get out of the
classroom and experience something new which is necessary for this level. They allow students
to have a real world experiences.

According to Youth learn initiative “field trips are a great way to bring excitement and
adventure to learning.”

Amber D. walker describes that with the availability of learning materials on the
internet. Some teachers and students may question why field trips are needed anymore. Field
trips can be troublesome and difficult to organize and supervise. But they do provide learning
opportunities that cannot be experienced in the classroom. They are a great way to
communicate difficult information. Through educational field trips most of the concepts and
phenomena may be easily clarified understood and assimilated and with the help of this, good
deal of energy and time of both the teachers and students can be saved.

April sanders clear that going on a field trip is a wonderful way to extend a learning
experience in such a way that the students not only understand the concept, but also
understand how it connects to their world. Eric Powell describes that field trips are vital for
students to have a chance to view and explore historical places and different social institutions.
They provide an opportunity for the students to visiting a new place, meeting new people and

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seeing and understanding the things. Educational field trips are very important because they
are a way to bring the students closer together, they are very helpful for physical fitness of
students, and they are also a source of entertainment. Educational field trips are very helpful to
provide a future professional and vocational direction. They open the eyes of students, not only
with information but with ideas also.

J. C. Aggarwal (2003) describes that educational field trips are also helpful for the
teachers to clarify, establish, co-relate and coordinate accurate concepts, interpretations and
appreciations and enable him to make learning more concrete, effective, interesting,
inspirational, meaningful and vivid. Thus we can say that educational field trips are helpful in
completing the triangular process of learning that is motivation, clarification and stimulation.

AIMS OF STUDY
1. The major aim of study was to give emphasis on the importance of educational field
trips in every faculty at higher level.
2. To know how much it will be important for the students to have a better adjustment in
the educational institution and society as well as in their professional lives.
3. To find out whether it provides a real-world experiences and long-lasting learning
among the students or not?
4. To know how much it will help the students to take more interest in their studies.
5. To know how come it is beneficial to provide practical approach for the students.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

The term “field trip” is usually used when a person or group of persons undertake tour
of places where they expect change from normal daily life. When educational field trips are
undertaken by students of an educational institution the main aim is not only recreation and
pleasure but also gain additional knowledge through direct experiences. K. Sampath (2006)
describes that During the field trips the pupil has concrete learning experiences in a real
situation which has been undertaken with a specific purpose. Field trips are organized visits into
the immediate or distant places taken by the pupils and the teachers to further educational
purposes of the regular classroom activities. The chief purpose of this method is to give the
pupils first-hand experiences that cannot be had in the classroom. Many of the objects of
investigations can be studied best on their natural settings. It is easier to grasp the lesson when
students do hands on activities because remembering actions is easier than remembering
words.

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J. C. Aggarwal (2008) clears that educational field trips aims at enriching, vitalizing and
complementing content areas of the curriculum by means of first hand observation and direct
experience outside the classroom. According to Lord chestier field:

“The knowledge of the world can only be acquired in the world and not in a closet. Books will
never teach you but they will suggest many things to your observations.”

According to Randy Wilhelm “Field trip is a substantive way to expand student’s horizons and
allow them to learn experientially.”

The positive benefits derive from field trips are hands-on, real-world experiences,
quality of education, positive attitudes to science and motivation towards the subjects,
improvement of the socialization between students, which would impinge on the classroom,
and development of rapport between teachers and students, enabling teachers to utilize other
learning strategies such as cooperative learning.

A history of field trips, if we consider the long term, we will realize that children have
learned by being with their parents or placed in apprentice situations with employers for most
of human history. In a sense, field trips were the norms, until the invention of formal education.
In the ancient time before crest, the Greeks take their children to the different places where
children participated in different activities to develop their physical fitness. The state name
“Sparta” was famous for their physical training. The same is the case with “Athens” where
children are trained physically very toughly. J .C .Aggarwal (2008) describes that over the years,
educators, philosophers like Comenius (1592-1670), Rousseau (1782-1852), Pestalozzi (1746-
1827), Herbart (1746-1841), Froebel (1782-1852), Spencer (1820-1903), and Dewey (1859-
1952) have pointed out the need for reinforcing abstract learning with concrete experiences. In
western countries “England” is a good example for training physically their children. Apart from
England other European countries like France, Germany, Canada and Italy also organized
educational field trips at every educational level. Sir Syed Ahmed khan was the first man who
gives a lot of importance to the educational field trips in sub-continent. Muhammadan-Anglo
Oriental School was started where educational field trips were arranged regularly along with
academics. A. Panneerselvam and S. Santhanam (2006) define that there are various types of
educational field trips which are conducted by the institution accordingly such as: Local trips,
Community trips, Tour or Journey, Imaginary tours, Inter-school visits and Individual trips.

Myers and Jones (2009) describe that educational field trips should be designed around
specific educational objectives. If a field trip not planned well in advance will end in confusion
and will be a waste of time and money. So field trip should be planned as a cooperative activity
involving full pupil participation under the teacher’s supervision. When planning and organizing
a successful field trip, three important stages should be included i.e. the pre-trip stage of a field

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trip involves two major components: administration and instruction. The second stage of a
successful field trip is the trip itself. It has also two components: the role of the student and the
role of the teacher. The third and final stage of a successful field trip is the post-trip stage which
also consists of two components: debriefing and culminating activity.

There are some important or basic instructions which will be considered while
conducting educational field trip at different levels which are like, to specify the type of field
trip, when the trip is decided the students should provide the basic necessities of the field trip,
it should be emphasize on action and experimentation, to organize the trip within the proper
time, every one should know his/her responsibilities, if the survey is to be done in such area
where any newspaper is published the members of the team should contact them and let them
know their aims and objectives so that they can publish their trip easily. With the help of this
newspaper the people will know about that place which will help in completion of the survey.

Educational field trip is a progressive method learning by which the student goes
through the necessary learning experiences under the leadership and guidance of the teacher.
They are helpful to develop the complete personality of the students like their physical, mental,
social and emotional development. Educational field trips give students the opportunity to have
first-hand experiences and to explore world. It helps students to interact with what they are
learning. Field trips allow for actual tactile experiences, students are able to see it, manipulate
it or participate in it physically. Usually field trips are organized at larger scale, therefore the
students are divided into different groups and a leader is chosen among the groups. The other
students have to follow his instructions. It helps to develop the ability of obligation and
leadership qualities in students. During educational field trips, students have to follow rules &
regulations and they have to do their work properly and systematically under the supervision of
teacher or guide. This will help to establish discipline among students which is not only
beneficial for their educational life as well as their practical life. The main purpose of the trip is
usually observation for education, non-experimental research or to provide students with
experiences outside their everyday activities. Field trips give students the plenty of
opportunities to make observations and observation is a big source to enhance mental
development. Educational field trips provide an opportunity for social training of the students
because field trips are taken in large group and students are included from different social
backgrounds, it gives students a chance to get to know each other and interact in a more
relaxed environment. These interactions teach them how to behave in different settings. It will
also help to control or show balanced emotions in different type of situations. Educational field
trips provide entertainment for students; learning and fun make a great combination. Field trips
are considering fun, but the students learn as well. Educational field trips help improve students
cognitive and inquiry skills. They provide plenty of opportunities to the students to show their
abilities which are usually kept hidden in their educational institution. Educational field trips are

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also very helpful in developing the esthetic sense and spiritual satisfaction in the students.
During field trips, students observe beauty of nature and also enjoy it which give them directly
or indirectly inner satisfaction. Educational field trips are a great way to create a students
interest in a subject. The things students see and experience on field trips can increase their
motivation for learning. They greatly enhance the students understanding and grasp of a
subject. The new environment and information provided by the field trips stimulates the
children awareness and increases their reasoning abilities. Educational field trips give the
practical approach to the students. They give great opportunity for students to not only observe
but also to actively participate in the events going on around them.

Field trips are important to history lessons, because first-hand experiences can bring
history to life for students who would otherwise find it uninteresting. Field trips to art museums
and galleries can help instill an appreciation for arts in students. Many students do not get the
chance to go the typical field trips locations with their families, because of money constraints or
lack of resources. Educational field trips give students the opportunity to experience new
venues. Educational field trips are a tool to guide students in a particular vocational direction
and to help them discover personal aptitudes at an earlier grade. Field trips spark student’s
interest in career field or other interesting paths. Educational field trips help the teachers to
clarify, establish, co-relate and co-ordinate accurate concepts and enable him/her to make
learning more concrete, effective, vivid and meaningful.

METHODOLOGY

This is a descriptive research in which deductive and inductive methods are used by the
researchers. The researchers have selected three universities from population. 50 teachers and
100 students were selected for the collection of data by using questionnaire method.
Questionnaires were protested and tables were also prepared. After the collection of data the
researchers have used the simple percentage method and standard deviation methods for the
analysis of data.

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RESULTS
The collected data was converted into tables. Findings and conclusions were drawn in
the light of these tables by the researchers.

Table 1: The first table shows the ideas of teachers that how much field trip are helpful in
effective learning.

S.No Statement # 1 Helpful in effective learning Yes No SD

1 Give practical approach for the curriculum 47 03 32.895

2 Provide self experience & observation to increase 50 00 -35.355

3 Guide to face future challenges and hindrances 46 04 32.195

4 Promote interaction b/w students and teachers 41 09 28.695

5 Helpful in satisfying psychological needs of students 38 12 26.595

6 Develop more interest in learning among students 45 05 31.500

7 Help to be aware of professional skills 47 03 32.895

8 Overcome the teaching problems 36 14 25.195

9 Provide opportunity to show individualities 37 13 25.895

The results of questions related to the statement No. 1 were further represented by SD,
which shows that majority of the teachers think that field trips give practical approach to
curriculum, it also provide self experience & observation, guidance to face future challenges to

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the students. It not only promote interaction b/w teachers and students, awareness about
professional skills but also helpful to overcome teaching problems within classrooms.

The visual representation of data is given below through graph.

Statement # 1

60
50
40
Yes
30
No
20
10
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Table 2: The second table shows the ideas of teachers that how much field trip promotes the
required qualities among students.

S.No Statement # 2 Promotion of qualities among students Yes No SD

1 Helpful for the development of balanced personality 44 06 30.795

2 Promote cooperation and unity among students 43 07 30.095

3 Develop leadership qualities 38 12 26.595

4 Help to promote sense of discipline 40 10 28.000

5 Increase self confidence 45 05 31.500

6 Helpful in social training 49 01 34.295

The results of questions related to statement No. 2 were further represented by SD,
which shows that majority of teachers think that fieldtrips at higher level are helpful to develop

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leadership qualities, promote cooperation, sense of discipline, increase confidence and also
provide social training to students.

The visual representation of data is given below through graph.

Statement # 2

60
50
40
Yes
30
No
20
10
0
1 2 3 4 5 6

Table 3: The third table shows the ideas of teachers that how much fieldtrips are beneficial for
society and individuals.

S.No Statement # 3 Beneficial for society & individuals Yes No SD

1 Promote importance of historical places and cultural 42 08 29.395

2 Helpful for individual to show better performance in studies 43 07 30.095

3 Help to achieve better results at higher level 44 06 30.795

4 Aware students about facilities available within our society 47 03 32.895

5 Assist in selecting specific field of studies for students 46 04 32.195

6 Helpful to meet the need of higher education 42 08 29.395

The results of questions related to the statement No. 3 were further represented by SD,
which shows that majority of the teachers think that field trips promote cultural and historical

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heritage as well as awareness to the students about facilities available within our society. They
give help to students to increase performance, to get better results, to select specific field of
studies for them as well as become one of a source to meet the need of higher education.

The visual representation of data is given below through graph.

Statement # 3

50

40

30 Yes
20 No

10

0
1 2 3 4 5 6

Table 4: The forth table shows the ideas of teachers about the essentials of field trips.

S.No Statement # 4 Essentials of educational field trips Yes No SD

1 Give opportunity to organized trips by students 42 08 29.395

2 Able the students to adopt various techniques of 41 09 28.695

3 Assign students to prepare a report after field trip 42 08 29.395

The results of questions related to statement No. 4 were represented by SD, which
shows that majority of teachers think that they give opportunity to students to organize field
trips under their own supervision and also assign students to prepare a brief report after having
a field trip as well as they also get the chance to adopt various techniques for an effective
learning. The visual representation of data is given below through graph.

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Statement # 4

50

40

30 Yes

20 No

10

0
1 2 3

Table 5: The fifth table shows the ideas of students that how much field trip are helpful in
effective learning.

S.No Statement # 1 Helpful in effective learning Yes No SD

1 Give practical approach for the curriculum 93 07 46.265

2 Provide self experience & observation to increase 99 01 49.250

3 Guide to face future challenges and hindrances 95 05 47.260

4 Promote interaction b/w students and teachers 91 09 45.270

5 Helpful in satisfying psychological needs of students 69 31 34.325

6 Develop more interest in learning among students 97 03 48.255

7 Help to be aware of professional skills 95 05 47.260

8 Overcome the learning difficulties 88 12 43.775

9 Provide opportunity to show individualities 82 18 40.790

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The results of questions related to statement No. 5 were represented by SD, which
shows that majority of students think that fieldtrips give practical approach to curriculum,
provide self experience & observation to increase knowledge. It also promotes interaction b/w
teachers and students, overcome difficulties and provide opportunity to show individualities
and also give awareness of professional skills.

The visual representation of data is given below through graph.

Statement # 5

120
100
80
Yes
60
No
40
20
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Table 6: The sixth table shows the ideas of students that how much field trip promotes the
required qualities among students.

S.No Statement # 6 Promotion of qualities among students Yes No SD

1 Helpful for the development of balanced personality 96 04 47.755

2 Promote cooperation and unity among students 91 09 45.270

3 Develop leadership qualities 76 24 37.805

4 Help to promote sense of discipline 87 13 43.280

5 Increase self confidence 97 03 48.255

6 Helpful in social training 97 03 48.255

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The results of questions related to statement No. 6 were further represented by SD,
which shows that majority of students think that fieldtrips are helpful to develop leadership
qualities, promote cooperation, sense of discipline, increase confidence and helpful in the social
training. The visual representation of data is given below through graph.

Statement # 6

120
100
80
Yes
60
No
40
20
0
1 2 3 4 5 6

Table 7: The seventh table shows the ideas of students that how much fieldtrips are beneficial
for society and individuals.

S.No Statement # 7 Beneficial for society & individuals Yes No SD

1 Promote importance of historical places and cultural 77 23 38.305

2 Helpful for individual to show better performance in studies 95 05 47.260

3 Help to achieve better results at higher level 92 08 45.765

4 Aware students about facilities available within our society 93 07 46.265

5 Assist in selecting specific field of studies for students 85 15 42.285

6 Helpful to meet the need of higher education 91 09 45.270

The results of questions related to the statement No. 7 were further represented by SD,
which shows that majority of the students think that field trips promote cultural and historical

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heritage as well as aware them about facilities available within our society. They also helpful for
achieving better results and performance, selecting in specific field of study and become one of
the source to meet the need of higher education. The visual representation of data is given
below through graph.

Statement # 7

100

80

60 Yes
40 No

20

0
1 2 3 4 5 6

Table 8: The eighth table shows the ideas of students about the essentials of field trips.

S.No Statement # 8 Essentials of educational field trips Yes No SD

1 Teachers give opportunity to organized trips by students 56 14 27.855

2 Get chance to learn more information from teachers 85 15 42.285

3 Teachers ask students to prepare a report after field trip 72 28 35.815

The results of questions related to statement No. 8 were represented by SD, which
shows that majority of students think that they get chance to learn more from fieldtrips and the
teachers give them opportunity to organized fieldtrips with them as well as they also ask them
to prepare a brief report after having a trip. The visual representation of data is given below
through graph.

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Statement # 8

100

80

60 Yes
40 No

20

0
1 2 3

CONCLUSION

Majority of the responses show that there is lot of importance of field trips at higher
level. It is not only helpful in effective learning but promote the qualities of leadership,
discipline and self confidence among the students. Maximum respondents cleared that these
fieldtrips are beneficial for society and individuals and also promote the importance of culture
and historical places. Short number of responses shows that after trips the students become
able to write a short report, which enhances their observation and written capabilities as well.

RECOMMENDATIONS

 Due to the need of educational field trips, it is necessary that the field trips should be
arranged in every department at higher level.
 The government should provide sufficient funds and resources to the institutions to held
field trips accordingly.
 Every student have some specific qualities, so with the help of field trips we can
promote leadership, socialization, unity, self-confidence, discipline and organizing
qualities among students.
 The students should be restricted by their concerned teachers, after each field trip to
write a proper report about the whole trip. So their writing skill will be enhancing as well
as increase their intellectual abilities also.
 At higher level, field trips also conduct by the merger of government and private sector.
In such a way the students and teachers both have opportunity to share their
knowledge and interact with each other.

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REFERENCES

 Isani, Dr. Captain, U.A.G (2003). “Higher education in Pakistan A historical futuristic

perspective”, Roohani art press Islamabad.

 Aggarwal, J.C. (2003). “Essentials of educational technology teaching learning.

Innovations in education”, Vikas publishing house pvt Ltd.

 Aggarwal, J.C. (2008). “Principles & methods & techniques of teaching”, Vikas

publishing house pvt Ltd.

 Sampath, K. Panneerselvam. A, & Santhanam.S (2006). “Introduction to educational

technology”, Sterling publishers Pvt Ltd.

 Kishore, N. (2003) Educational technology, Abhishek Publications.

 Chand, T. (2004) Educational technology, Anmol Publications Pvt Ltd.

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