Fieldwork provides opportunities for students to develop employability-enhancing transferable skills as well as technical, discipline-specific skills and disciplinary knowledge. However, the extent to which staff purposely plan transferable skills outcomes of field courses, and, therefore, whether they are communicated to students is unknown. We…

This paper investigates the prevalence of fieldwork in undergraduate Geography programs in Canada. It examines the presence of fieldwork, provided through both field courses and courses that include fieldwork components, by reviewing program requirements and course offerings in undergraduate geography programs. The research explores the extent to…

Problem-based learning (PBL) is one of a suite of strategies based on the premise that placing students at the centre of the learning process ultimately improves skills, knowledge and understanding. To date, however, there remain relatively few reports on the application of PBL within geography curricula. This paper traces the evolution of a PBL…

Today's important geo-spatial technologies, GIS (Geographic Information Systems), GPS (Global Positioning Systems) and Google Earth have been widely used in geography education. Transferring spatially oriented data taken by GPS to the GIS and Google Earth has provided great benefits in terms of showing the usage of spatial technologies for field…

Fieldwork is central to teaching and learning in geography. The assessment of student learning from fieldwork can, however, be problematic. This paper evaluates the use of reflective diaries for assessing level three undergraduate geography fieldwork. It is concluded that reflective fieldwork diaries offer an innovative and flexible approach to…

Field work is an important but often neglected facet of undergraduate geography training. Kinds of field work and field training are analyzed including selection of study areas and camp site selection. A two week field camp with deferred papers is a workable solution for undergraduate programs. (NH)

The articles in this report describe how field work, which is highly relevant to modern research and theory, can be used to improve geographic instruction at several instructional levels. Chapter one places the role of field work in geographic instruction in the broader context of contemporary theories of learning. The second chapter describes an…

Offering a course across an international border, where students and faculty physically travel to both countries throughout the term, raises a host of pedagogical, cartographic, logistic, and cultural challenges. At the same time, two initial classes find the experience rewarding and evaluate the course positively. This paper reviews the offering…

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)

Advocates that geography teachers undertake field studies of human systems with their students. Describes a learning process in which teachers take students to a human system (supermarket, hotel) and guide them through exploration and analysis of the system with the goal of building skills that can transfer to other geographic tasks. (MJP)

Provides a critical commentary on issues facing fieldwork in undergraduate geography programs. Issues are structured around five key themes: aims and objectives, skill acquisition, relationship to other areas of curricula, fieldwork delivery, and fieldwork management. Encourages new perspectives and approaches in geography fieldwork. (MJP)

Argues that recent changes in higher education in the United Kingdom make the traditional mode of fieldwork delivery unsustainable. This, coupled with criticisms of past fieldwork practices, suggests a need for a thorough re-evaluation of the role and implementation of fieldwork programs. Briefly reviews educational theories concerning fieldwork.…

Draws on material produced as part of a Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) review of teaching and learning in geography. Reviews recent literature in an attempt to assess the implications of recent changes in higher education for field studies in geography. Includes three charts, lists, and graphs. (MJP)

Examines the nature and purpose of fieldwork in geographical education. Contrasts traditional geography education (small number of students, faculty led fieldwork) with "new" education (vast increase in students coupled with a decrease in education funding). These changes are unsettling but offer opportunities for innovation. (MJP)

Asserts that the nature and components of fieldweek (a week-long field program common to United Kingdom undergraduate geography) are adaptable to current educational changes and needs. These programs emphasize problem solving, real-world experience, and transferable skills. Briefly examines successful programs in Belgium and the Netherlands. (MJP)