Background: Many disciplines use outdoor fieldwork (OFW) as an experiential learning method in higher education. Although there has been an increase in research into the pedagogical approaches of OFW, the use of OFW is contested. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to synthesize the OFW literature across a range of disciplines to identify common…

Field experience makes a strong contribution to the learning of students. However, the procedure for conducting training sessions based on experiential teaching methods is relatively unclear, and the contents and aspects of students' reflections during such training are not well known. This study applied experiential teaching methods in a college…

Describes how a psychology fieldwork course promoted synergistic relationships between academic and experiential learning components. For one academic year, 15 psychology majors participated in supervised field experiences. Students did individualized reading, prepared weekly progress reports, and received constructive feedback from instructors…

Archeological work at a pre-Columbian Taino ceremonial area in the Virgin Islands National Park is enhanced by volunteers through the park's friends organization. Partnering with volunteers fosters greater awareness, involvement, educational opportunities, and funding by the community and businesses. Almost all local schools participate, as do…

Describes a source of diversity and enrichment for summer field experiences. Presents information on the geographic and geologic setting, glacial history and record, relative dating of deposits, and use for student experience. Tables include a generalized location of the area, summary of moraine morphology, and pictures. (RT)

Academic libraries and schools of library and information studies (LIS) may, by using LIS students to staff an information desk as fieldwork for a basic reference course, collaborate to provide useful educational experiences to LIS students and reliable reference service to library users. (Author/AEF)

This paper seeks to address assumptions on the effectiveness of fieldwork as a mode of learning in geography. This is approached from an international perspective, both in review of available evidence, which demonstrates a need for rigorous research into the issue, and in providing preliminary findings of research into the value of fieldwork from…

This conference paper advocates that experiential learning provides learners with a deeper sense of knowing and self-confidence in taking risks to be change agents in their chosen fields. Five components of experiential learning are described: (1) there is an emphasis on learning-by-doing; (2) there is an emphasis on learning by listening; (3)…

This paper documents the "inspection visit" program which existed at the University of Illinois library school between 1895 and 1948 whereby library school students would take extended "field trips" to nearby or even distant libraries. Topics include issues concerned with the visits themselves, their role in the library school…

Examines value of higher education field studies. Describes agricultural field programs in California and Sri Lanka, examining relationship of classroom work to field work. Details students' reflections. Emphasizes experiential learning as valuable for both student and teacher. Concludes field work fosters realistic, meaningful interpretations of…

Uses the example of a trail near Lancashire in Northern England to explore the educational values of rural trails. Maintains that studying trails can enhance the appreciation and teaching of conceptual matters as well as develop students' skills for informed observation and interpretation of field evidence. Includes an area map. (MJP)

This paper focuses on approaches to designing and managing the undergraduate intern experience in political science, and its companion disciplines, public administration, and public policy. Specifically, it describes ways of connecting the internship with the undergraduate curriculum to provide skill building experiences for students as part of…

This chapter examines the attitudes of students on a building-trades course to explore the interacting ideas of engagement, gender identity, and experience. The house building course integrated several high school technological subjects with English. Students granted interviews and allowed access to their journals, written as part of their English…

A panel of 8 professionals in the field of wilderness adventure programming reviewed, evaluated, and commented on a list of 53 skill, technical, human relations, and philosophical understanding competencies and 46 personal and professional qualities derived from a literature search of 136 sources in a study to determine accepted minimum skill…

Since 1971 a fully equipped learning laboratory building and the open fields, woodlands, salt water marshes, and beaches of Sunken Meadow State Park have been available for year round day use by students and educators in New York's Suffolk and Nassau counties. Funded by the New York Office of Parks and Recreation and local Boards of Cooperative…