Students Yearn to Learn Outside the Classroom on School Field Trips

Oftentimes, students are faced with the same old routine in each class—notes and lectures, textbooks and discussions. But there is one way to make a class enjoyable and one where you and learn a lot: going on a field trip.

Field trips were quite common in the elementary school days, whether it was to a museum, an outdoor area or park, or a few nights out in a camp. However, as students get older—especially in high school—it’s as if field trips never take place. Perhaps it is because teachers want to expose young children to real-world experiences rather than just a classroom, but despite that, high school students’ education can be enhanced through field trips.

Senior Onyi Onyeador said, “Field trips are effective learning tools because they take what you learn in class and apply it to real-world settings, thus reinforcing the absorption of knowledge. [Field trips] also prepare us for future learning and application in real-world scenarios.”

For all grade levels and ages, field trips are effective learning tools. Not only do you learn another style other than boring lectures and notes, but you also are given the chance to interact with other students. Field trips are an opportunity to learn in a natural environment and experience in real life rather than textbooks. In addition, most students are bored of the same routine each class, so field trips would definitely be a change.   

“Most of our time is spent in the classroom, learning one subject after another, so getting the opportunity to travel to things like museums could also be a ‘breather’ for students. Attending field trips may also help people understand and remember concepts more easily,” said junior Tina Li.

At Palos Verdes High School, students rarely go on field trips. However, teachers do agree that field trips can be used as effective learning tools.

Mrs. Kim, Korean language teacher at PVHS, said that, “[field trips] also deepen and enhance the students’ classroom learning. This first hand experience makes students’ learning more enjoyable and fun while learning the culture.”

In the 21st century, technology is present everywhere you go, even during class time and lectures. But if teenagers are exposed to other ways of learning, like field trips, teens may be off their devices and more engaged in learning outside of the usual environment.

“Field trips hold great importance in any language program. They provide the unique opportunity for students to experience what they learned in class and to explore novel things in authentic settings,” said Kim.  The Korean class has been on numerous field trips: to restaurants, Korean education centers and cultural centers. By going on field trips, student education is enriched. “It provides good learning benefits with low stress,” she said.

Overall, to most people, both students and teachers agree that field trips make effective learning tools. Not only do students get to explore and learn in a new style, but just taking a step away from the classroom can make learning easier, more exciting, and less stressful.