The purpose of education is to develop the skill, knowledge, and character of students. Education is the process of learning and gaining knowledge, which should not be restricted to the classroom or textbooks. Education is a crucial aspect of the development of any modern society. As the students are the main client of education and central part of the learning process. The purpose of school and college is to not only provide education only but also make students capable enough to apply knowledge in the real world. For these purpose co-circular activities like group discussions, presentations, local conferences, workshops, and the academic trip should be conducted for the students. Educational institutes should make trips for the students because it allows observation, self-experience, and self-long-lasting learning.
Let us discuss how to plan an academic trip that will leave the students enjoying and excited.
Specific Objective of Trip
When it comes to organizing an academic trip or vacation, the teacher needs to plan the tour the same as they plan a lesson. Academic trips should be designed around specific educational objectives. If the trip not planned well in advance will end in confusion and will be a waste of money and time. So informative tour should be designed as a cooperative activity involving full participation of students under the teacher’s supervision. When planning ann educational trip, three essential stages should be included.
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The pre-stage involves two major components, Instruction, and administration
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The second stage consists of the role of the students and teachers.
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The third and final stage consists of debriefing and ending activity.
Plan Group activities
Academic trips provide an opportunity for social training of the students because these trips are taken in a large group. Students of different social backgrounds are included, and it gives a student a chance to get to know and interact with each other. Although planning for extensive group activities during the trip is a hard task as it can be challenging to find the space to conduct extensive group activity. It is good to make smaller groups that can be more fun for everyone involved. Assign different tasks to the students and encourage them to participate. Group activities are
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Helpful to interact with students with each other.
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Help to control or show balanced emotions
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It creates confidence in students
Leave some free time
The academic trip is a progressive method of learning. By which student goes through the necessary learning experience under the guidance of the teacher. These trips allow the student to get experience and to explore a destination. Teachers and organizers should leave the students some free time, don’t feel them feel like they are in class. A trip is an opportunity to learn new as well as independence too. Leave the students some free time to explore new places in their way. If organizers of the trip leave some free time to their students, then students will be able to learn.
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Self Confidence
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Critical thinking
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Interpersonal skills
Conduct recreational activities
Usually, academic trips are organized on a large scale; therefore conduct some entertaining or recreational activities. The students are divided into different groups and choose a leader among the groups. During these activities, students have to follow the rules and perform the exercises properly under the supervision of a group leader. The primary purpose of the trip is usually observation for education, fun, or to provide students with experiences outside their everyday routine. Conduct activities like playing soccer, painting, running, dancing, etc., in which students take interest and participate actively. It is better to appreciate them by giving rewards to the student who performs well.
The recreational activities help to:
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Establish discipline
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Develop the ability of obligation and leadership in the students
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Improve student cognitive and inquiry skills
Once the teacher has developed a clear trip objective, planned for group activities, and incoporated some recreational activities, the trip will surely leave the students enjoying.