The Case for Educational Visits
Everyone is agreed that children learn best by doing and throughout this academic year in the Early Years SCITE PGCE Core Science Module this has been put into practice.
In each lecture problems have been set and practical solutions have been found that work within the classroom situation to enable children to develop their scientific understanding.
To complete the picture, however, it is also necessary to establish how this understanding is related to the “real world” outside the classroom situation.
To this end the Educational Visit has a vital role to play. Every year, as part of the course, Trainee Teachers visit places associated with the classroom practice to ensure a true understanding.
For the Foundation child an understanding of the work of ”People who help us” is an ideal starting point to introduce them to “Knowledge and Understanding” of the real world.
Such visits include: the Police Station, the Post Office and the Fire Station.
Recently the Trainees visited Leominster Fire Station and were put in the position of children who would be given such an experience. The highlight of the visit was using the fire hose.
Another important area for children is an understanding of the natural world around them. While practical work can take place within the classroom setting there is no better way for understanding than actually experiencing nature at first hand and this is where the now established yearly visit to the Elan Valley comes into play.
Using the experience of the Environmental Education Ranger, Fiona Wase the Trainees were given a detailed practical understanding of a pond and woodland environment. Visits are very much encouraged to the Elan Valley catering for children from the Foundation level right up to A level students.
Harry Young, Early Years PGCE Core Science Subject Tutor, 13.05.10