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Talk Fieldwork

Fieldwork

Teaching Technology

Author: RGS-IBG

This section provides ideas and resources for fieldwork techniques that can be adapted to suit your students and the site you're visiting. The key is to generate inspiring and innovative fieldwork, that doesn't always involve measuring pebbles or counting cars.

How about introducing your students to GIS in the field, or maybe they could film their experiences? Have you considered 'twinning' with a school in your fieldwork area? Maybe you're just keen to get your students to 'feel' geography.

Photo copyright Steve Dunn, GSAL

The GA Secondary Geography Handbook includes a chapter entitled "Real world learning through geographical fieldwork", which summarises some different strategies for outdoor learning. It also showcases some innovative approaches to fieldwork, including sensory activities and a town trail for elderly visitors. Buy your copy of the GA Secondary Handbook here

The articles in this section of the website, written by teachers for teachers, outline actual case studies of how GIS and new technology can be incorporated into fieldwork activities. The subpages include ideas for using free online resources such as Google Earth, as well as software programs such as ArcGIS and Infomapper.

Making the most of GIS
This 15 minute video clip from Teachers TV gives ideas, technical advice and teaching tips to help you to make the most of GIS in your classroom and in the field.
If you have any exciting new ideas for fieldwork activities, tell us about them. Let's get our students inspired in Geography!
Contact fieldwork@rgs.org with your ideas or for more details.

 

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Getting Started with GIS

A wide range of software packages for GIS is available to schools, and it can be difficult to decide which is most suitable for your department.

The RGS-IBG website includes pages dedicated to getting started with GIS, including software evaluations, GIS resources and fieldwork ideas.

Some ideas to get you started

  • In this article Steve Dunn puts forward the case for adopting GIS in the field using equipment ranging from mobile phones to data-loggers. It's simpler than you think!

Talk Fieldwork

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