While modern classrooms are designed to provide students with an environment that is conducive to learning, the classroom is not the only place where an education can be completed. Students of all ages can also learn a lot of things by going out into the world and seeing their lessons in school being applied in practical situations. In fact, many schools in Singapore organize excursions regularly so that their students can spend an entire day interacting with unfamiliar objects and gaining new experiences in places like botanical gardens, museums, and even amusement parks.
A global international school Singapore student, on the other hand, will typically be given the option to go on longer field study programs. These trips, which can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, offer students the perfect opportunity to be deeply familiar with the way of life of their host communities as well as make a laboratory out of nature. Spending a few days away from the environments that they know can enhance a student’s learning experience in the following ways:
They Can Get to Know Themselves Better
Living away from home for a few days can serve as a period of self-discovery for students of all ages. This gives them the chance to get to know themselves better outside of the context of their typical environments, such as their family home and the neighborhood they grew up in.
In the neutral and unfamiliar spaces where field studies are conducted, a student can make observations and decisions that are not entirely influenced by the traditions and values reinforced by their typical environment. The experience of getting used to a new place at an early age will also make it easier for students to adjust in case they need to relocate or study in other parts of the world as they grow older.
They Can Experience a Different Way of Life
Spending more than a few days away from home can widen one’s perspective. Young students, in particular, will be able to see that not every household observes the same practices and traditions as their own.
If the field study will be conducted outside the country, this gives students the opportunity to be exposed to a group of people who may have different priorities and concerns than what they often have. Living in a place where grocery stores are not easily accessible, for instance, can help students appreciate what they have at home as well as observe and participate in the community’s efforts to manage their resources properly.
They Have the Chance to Develop Independence and Other Life Skills
Field study programs are always conducted with the guidance of an experienced teacher, but students will also be expected to exercise a measure of independence and self-reliance during the trip. It’s not unheard of for students to do age-appropriate chores during their field study, for instance. This can give them the chance to practice what they have learned at home and ensure that they are slowly, but surely developing the life skills they need to live independently in the future.
Students might also be given particular responsibilities for the trip, such as keeping tabs on their travel buddy or applying first aid where appropriate. These roles will help them develop their individual skills as well as become more aware of the part they play in the group.
They Have the Opportunity to Observe and Collect Data Directly from the Source
Students often learn what they know from books, videos, or stories from other people. These are all secondhand sources of information. This is not the case during a field study program. A student will not just hear about how people in a particular community live their lives–they themselves will be there to experience life in the area.
More than just reading about historical and cultural destinations, students visiting an area for field study will be able to see where people lived and worked in the past and perhaps even get a glimpse of how life was back then. Instead of just reading about fishing and farming communities, for example, they can see fisherfolks and farmers applying their skills and knowledge in their workplaces. In addition, they’ll be able to see other people’s efforts to maintain a destination or way of life so that future generations can benefit from it.
They Can Immerse Themselves Deeply Into Learning a Language
Lastly, field studies offer language learners an excellent opportunity to practice what they know with native speakers and improve their confidence in using their second language. By spending time with native language speakers, students will be exposed to the nuances and non-verbal cues that they might miss by simply learning a language in a regular classroom.
Students will be able to see exactly how people their age use the language they are learning in everyday activities, such as buying goods, asking questions and answering them, and getting information from other people. There’s no better way to become fluent at a language than by getting firsthand experience, and field studies guarantee that for language learners.
Field studies expand a student’s horizon in many ways. These activities offer learners of all ages unique learning environments and opportunities as well as the means to observe how the world works with their own senses. Perhaps it’s a good idea to check with your child’s school to see if they offer field study programs for their students, and to invest in such an opportunity for your own child.
