Some parents complain that students will miss their normal academic lessons when they go for an outing. I do believe that students can learn both inside the classroom and even in extra curricular activities if they are well planned. Are you in favour or against school outings?
© ronaldinu 2008
[question posted by ronaldinu]
responses and comments:
Children learn more about life by experiencing it! A child's education goes much farther than just reading, writing and arithmetic. There is no better teacher than experience! Get those kids out of the classroom and let them experience the Beauty and wonder of life around us! Let them hear the orchestra, let them see the flowers, let them go clean up a park! Let them till a garden, feed some cows, and go to a museum. These are the things that inspire children! These are the things that let our kids know that yes, they can indeed be anything at all! Education happens outside of the classroom. [Pascha]
Pressed send too soon. lol Education happens outside of the classroom. Inside the classroom is what reinforces what they've learned. [Pascha]
I am in favour of school outings and think the children learn just as much outside the classroom as in the classroom. Outside on outings they have to learn to soicalize with people in there class whom they never see out of school for various reasons and how to interact with the world outside the classroom in a group of people the same age rather than just small groups or the family. [Anne18]
i do not believe in school outings when the child is small and can not take care of himself and teachers wont be able to give personal attention to all students. [riyasam]
The organization that goes into arranging an outing is quite stressful in itself, once I was roped in to taking 9 and 10 year olds on the London tube to the London Museum and it was a nightmare from start to finish, they were so badly behaved and I nearly ended up with no hair afterwards, yes they can be very educational providing the students are behaved and no how to take it as a learning experience rather than a jolly mischievous day out! But on saying that I am definite pro school outings, although a coach provided makes all the difference rather than getting them on public transport LOL! [wolfie34]
I am glad that students get to go places while at school. It's not like they are not learning while they are out seeing sights. They learn from every place they go. If they have not done their work or have done wrong they don't get to go with the class, so it's a very good incentive for them to do what they need to. They have tests latter depending on where they went to visit. I have seen a class at the aquarium and they were being asked questions about the things they saw. They were taking notes for a test later. There are children that would never get away from their home town if not for the school field trips. For this reason alone it's worth it. [moondancer]
I'm definitely in favour of school outings, because i was once a student.. lol =D school outings are always more fun, and the learning experience is toally different from that of a classroom.. There are more hands on things, and also, it's a chance to explore around, without the watchful eyes of parents.. lol =D [kun2349]
That is a stupid parent! Kids learn by being involved. I know I learned more by things that I have experienced than what I have read. [nanajanet]
School outings I beleive are just as important as normal lessons at school, outings are a learning lesson in themselves but in a different way...littleowl [littleowl]
For me it depends on the outing. In my opinion the outing should be related to what is being studied in school. If a study is in biology then a trip to a natural museum. If the outing can make the subject come alive it can make it so much more interesting and that encourages the students to study better. So yea I'm in favor of school outings. [deebomb]
I am in favour of a school outings especially if it's a field trip and educational ones, students don't only need a break from inside the classrom but they need to socialize with the classmates as well be cooperative with the curricular activities they benefit from it. Hopefully they should not do outings without the principal or school director's permission to make it safe and convenient for them. [lovelyvelle]
Hello ronaldinu Well my middle son recently went on an outing tothe cinema to see Happy Feet but as he has seen this a few times alreay, I did wonder what knowledge he was gaining from this. They went out and planted trees the other day which I thought was great as I could see the education in this. So with my kids at school I think it is a bit hit and miss really, we certainly had no such trips when I was at school! [Humbug25]
Hi ronalldinu, It all depends what they when going on a outing, when I was in school whe we went out, usually nature study, we would go the countryside and learn about the plants and what specis they were, we used to take different kinds of leave and study themand write about the, so what do pupils do when they go on an outings. Tamara [tamarafireheart]
I'm all for school outings. I learn more with them then i do in the classroom. And i'd do anything to get out of school to go on a field trip to learn. But yea some parents prefer their kids to stay in school and not go on field trips etc. They can be fun too though! [Blondie2222]
i don't think outings can effect the studies. i like very much to go for outings and so. it trills and keep the student interested. students can learn more when they study something by enjoying it. so for that field trip can be helpful. [legend4u]
If it is done as part of the school curriculum then yes but as long as proper supervision etc is taken care of. [LoudnProud]
It depends what it is and how organised it is. If its going out just for the sake of it then why bother but if its something they will learn from than I am all for it. My son went to a trafic school 2 weeks ago and I had to go with him and I was disapointed. This was for kids 3-5 years old many with disability and for 1 1/2 hours they were stuck in a room with this lady who put slides on all writen and she read from them (no pictures and totaly not age related) the kids were so bored at the end cause they did not understand it. Then she took them outside and told them to walk around in the pretend street (when I was small and went to trafic school at least we had working signs and all that) they had to pretend that it was red light. Need a go on. That was a waste of time because it was not done properly. [violeta_va]
I think well-planned school outings are a valuable resource - often students absorb things more easily when they visit them in the flesh (so to speak). However, when my children were at primary school, many parents complained the excursions were too expensive, and a fund had to be established to pay for chidren whose parents were suffering financial hardship. Also, teachers these days are worried about public liability, and are not as happy about being responsible for taking a large group on an outing. A child drowned in an Australian public pool on a school outing a year or so ago - there were several teachers AND pool staff supposedly keeping an eye on things, and this tragedy still occurred. It is a big risk taking children from the school premises, and in this litigious society it's a risk many teachers are no longer happy to take. [guybrush]
I think it is great that children get to go on outings at school. It gives them a break from the norm and helps them learn things first hand. Learning is not limited to books, there is so much more that every child should learn about, and that is the purpose of those class outings. [lynnemg]
I'm in favor of taking students out on outings. I believe students learn both in and outside the classroom. I can't believe some parent don't like it or see the reason behind it. [cripfemme]
I am in favour of school outings if it is going to be of use to the students. In my days, school outings were more pointless and were not fun. If it is well planned and has substance to it, I think kids could learn a lot more than if they were in the classroom. Sometimes, hand-on teaching is very effective. [mayhem23]
I am in favor of outing for the students for them to learn also outside the campus and anything that is educational. Nothing wrong about it but in a proper places and planned well before they go out. For them to go outside the school for outing are added points to know more and it was serves as their curricular activities that helps them to improved their knowledge. [mods196621]
i am in favor of school outings. students sometimes get bored just sitting in class rooms all day and outing are educational so it's not like they aren't learning it's just more interesting for them [loveyou1234]
I think its ok if the students could also learn something from it. As we all know, learning does not only occur on the four courners of the classroom. As long as all Safety measures are taken for the safety of all students then why not and i think the most important thing is an adult or teacher must accompany them when they go out. They could even actually learn more if they would go out on school outings. I think the better term to use is field trip because when you say outing the first thing that comes into my mind is just going out to have fun whil if you say field trip it would be more focused on something more educational. :) [jewilim]
I am in favor of school outings it can make learningso much funner and kids don't even feel that they are learning sometimes because they are having fun some don't think learning is fun so don't connect the two. But I am on favor of it. [mtdewgurl74]
i am a favor of school outings as long as they behave.coz this is the most unfogrgetable moments going out sometimes with classmateshappy. [bombshell]
Yes, I am in favor of school outings. I belive the school outings can be educational for the child. I love to hear about my kids little field trips and such. [rusty2rusty]
School outing is one way of enriching the experience of the children so I am not against it. But it should be limited to just once a year and must not be done in expensive places in order to avoid burdening the pockets of the parents. And the children must be really safe and well taken cared of during the activity. [salonga]
Im in favor most kids, especially younger, learn with hands-on or real-time experiences. For example, if you explain how to light a fire, someone is likely to forget. If you give all the materials needed and tell someone how to light a fire, its easier to remember. [Keyabori]
iam in favour of a outing like you said if it,s well planned i don,t see a problem.children can learn outside the classroom as well. [annjilena]
I am very much in favor of that. Like you said extra curricular activities can help them learn things that they can't learn inside the classroom. Seeing a live play or going to the zoo can easily stimulate a child's creative mind. When my daughter grows up, I would really love to go with her in outings when she studies. Hehe...Do you guys allow that? When I was in grade school, we can have our parents or any relative to come with us... [yuna15]
I live near Washington D.C. Where I was in school, we went on many local field trips where history came to life.we got out And we learned something too. I think if there is a trip that can help kids learn about their current lessons, they should get to go on field trips. [sarahruthbeth22]
I feel Children should learn from everything not just in the classroom and since we aren't always around they need to learn whats outside too..so any outdoor activity whether its a trip to a park or a museum is something for them to see and experience..maybe memories with a lasting impression [Rosekitty]
Definately in favor. When they're at school often times everything is very routine and talking is not permitted. Outtings give kids a chance to relax with the friends they've made and develop their communication skills. Sometimes kids learn more in a more relaxed and fun environment too.(mueseums,theatres,etc) [JenInTN]
definitely i am in the favour of school outings. they makes us spend more times with our friends and also it gives us many experiences like how to manage our things without our parents, in life. we also come to see the lifestyle of our friends when we stay with them. so i think school outings are important and are proved very useful in the childs all round development. [mohak27056666]
Definatly in favour for if they are well planned indeed. I've experienced that students sometimes seem to learn even more from an outing than academic lessons as their is so much more to see and hear and everything is new and exiting. If you give them exercises on what they learn on the outing, or give them a puzzle to solve, or (my personal favourites) a treasure hunt. It all depends on the age of the children though. [cyberfluf]
It depends on the outing, my son is going to a victorian school later this month and I think that will be great educationally for him, we had a victorian day when I was at school and it was so interesting. They can def learn in and out the classroom/school. [mychattime]
I think that it is important to have a healthy mix of the two. School outings are so important because you learn more than just science, maths or history. You learn how to behave in certain situations, how to connect with your peers and a certain sense of independence. As long as school outings are safe, I think they are a really good thing for children and certainly not a waste of time [UK_Shree]
Providing the children are not too young and are adequately supervised these outings can be very good and in fact actually help some children to socialise with their peers. In the case of my children, for the first few years they were at school, they had a special day where the children did not go home immediately after school but instead stayed there. They would play games, read stories and in general have some good fun plus an early meal about 6.30 pm and the parents picking them up around 8.00 pm. During their second and third years they also had a day outing in the local area but in their 4th year (aged 9-10) they went away on a school camp for 2 days and 1 night. Not only were the teachers who taught those classes there but also the librarian and the school principal and in addition they have 1 parent for every 6 children. The parents who went on these camps were al volunteers and they did not have any children of their own on the camp because it was generally accepted that the children needed to spend time with their peers and all the children treated the same. Yes twice I was caught and ended up "volunteeering" to go away on these school camps and after the second year left it to those with much more patience than I have. They were about 13 when they went away on a week's camp which happened to be some distance from their home in that it was an interstate trip. I do agree with these excursions because they do help most children, and even the shy ones tend to bloom if the events and activities are done correctly. For example the week's trip my own children did, they all took it in turns to prepare and serve at least one meal during that time. That is something some of them never did at home. They were also allowed one junk food meal and that was a treat for many as we did not have any of those places where we lived. Finally one night they were taken to a restaurant for a meal and while it was not upmarket in that sense, it was a good place and the children could show how much they had learnt about their table manners. lol The school organised it very well in fact and they do this sort of thing every year. To keep the costs down for the parents, they do bulk bookings well in advance and pay deposits etc to secure things at a reasonable cost. A price is set for the excursion and the families are given a lot of notice so those who choose to do so, can pay it off over several months. Also where the parents might have some financial difficulties, the school always has a fund to cover costs where the parents cannot afford it, so that every child in the class went on the excursion. The principal handled that and nobody ever knew who has paid and whose parents could not afford it. To keep the costs down to all parents, the school also holds fundraisers throughout the year as well. As everything is paid for in advance, the children are limited to the amount of money that they can take with them and that is strictly policed. There was always a purpose to the trip and whether that was to learn about the government, early history, wildlife, flora and fauna, the children got an enormous benefit from the trip. As far as I am concerned what the children learn far outweighs what they might miss out on academically and providing the costs are kept to a minimum for the parents it should be encouraged. They learn much more on these excursions than they do in the classroom as they are experiencing things that they otherwise would not and it is with their peers as well. [oldboy46]