Beyond the classroom
When students have the opportunity to attend an excursion and extend their knowledge outside of the four walls of the classroom they are experiencing an informal learning experience. Informal learning experiences as discussed in the introduction are considered to be unexpected learning, this can be done through excursions as students are aware they are leaving the school and generally have that sense of a fun experience when in fact that fun experience has been designed to enhance children's knowledge on a particular topic (Oblinger, 2006). "Communities around Australia continue to provide these spaces, and opportunities for learners are enabled by a fundamental commitment by schools and communities to collaborate for a common purpose (Black, R 2008)." Teachers need to know the community around them and take advantage to those venues/members willing to contribute their time to help further educate the students.
Beyond the classroom is a informal learning experience that gives the children the opportunity to engage in learning other than the learning experiences in the classroom.This informal learning beyond the classroom can take place in any environment that provides experience, stimulates the senses, encourages the exchange of information, and offers opportunities for exploration, collaboration, and discussion (Oblinger, 2006). One of the most obvious ways Our students 'grow into the intellectual life of those around them' is through excursions and incursions that bring the outside world and students together in a unique learning opportunity (Lorenza, L. 2009).
Strengths-
Weaknesses-
Curriculum and Pedagogy-Excursions and incursions come under the beyond the classroom learning space, it along with all the other learning spaces it is an important aspect of the students schooling life. When planning a excursion teachers need to ask them selves the following questions
Excursions should not be used for an excuse to get out of the classroom and not having to plan a days worth of work for the students, it needs to have a purpose, it needs to have some link to the curriculum and a link to the content being taught in the classroom at the time. There would be no need to take students to the zoo if it had nothing to do with what they are learning about, but taking the students to the Mt Cootha bush walking when learning about the nature and the Indigenous aspects of the land would link together and be appropriate.
Teachers and students-
Again its important for teacher to make these learning experiences outside the classroom appropriate and engaging. Teacher and any parents attending need to know all procedures for taking students outside the school and need to oblige by them.
Teachers need to give the students prior to attending the excursion the plan for the day and what is expected of them on the day, so that students are fully aware of the day and whats expected of them.
Students should be gaining important knowledge from the excursion therefore would be able to reflect on the days experience this can be done by having students doing a journal writing exercise, this will allow the teacher insight into what the students gained whilst on the excursion.
Beyond the classroom is a informal learning experience that gives the children the opportunity to engage in learning other than the learning experiences in the classroom.This informal learning beyond the classroom can take place in any environment that provides experience, stimulates the senses, encourages the exchange of information, and offers opportunities for exploration, collaboration, and discussion (Oblinger, 2006). One of the most obvious ways Our students 'grow into the intellectual life of those around them' is through excursions and incursions that bring the outside world and students together in a unique learning opportunity (Lorenza, L. 2009).
Strengths-
- enables students to see and do hands on activities
- provides experiences
- stimulates the senses
- encourages the exchange of information
Weaknesses-
- Not all students will have to opportunity to join due to costing
- Students being unaware of the surroundings
Curriculum and Pedagogy-Excursions and incursions come under the beyond the classroom learning space, it along with all the other learning spaces it is an important aspect of the students schooling life. When planning a excursion teachers need to ask them selves the following questions
- "What is the curricular connection of this excursion and what can I do to prepare my students to gain from this experience?
- What educational benefits or opportunities might exist beyond curriculum and what can I do to prepare my students for these other benefits or opportunities? (Lorenza, L. 2009)."
Excursions should not be used for an excuse to get out of the classroom and not having to plan a days worth of work for the students, it needs to have a purpose, it needs to have some link to the curriculum and a link to the content being taught in the classroom at the time. There would be no need to take students to the zoo if it had nothing to do with what they are learning about, but taking the students to the Mt Cootha bush walking when learning about the nature and the Indigenous aspects of the land would link together and be appropriate.
Teachers and students-
Again its important for teacher to make these learning experiences outside the classroom appropriate and engaging. Teacher and any parents attending need to know all procedures for taking students outside the school and need to oblige by them.
Teachers need to give the students prior to attending the excursion the plan for the day and what is expected of them on the day, so that students are fully aware of the day and whats expected of them.
Students should be gaining important knowledge from the excursion therefore would be able to reflect on the days experience this can be done by having students doing a journal writing exercise, this will allow the teacher insight into what the students gained whilst on the excursion.
This particular image shows the students at n excursion to the to 'Dolphin Discovery Centre', this excursion would be beneficial for the students in gaining knowledge through something they would consider fun.
(Dolphin Discovery Australia. (2012)
(Dolphin Discovery Australia. (2012)