Teacher’s perceptions of educational field trips in the teaching of social studies in Bolgatanga preparatory junior high school

Abstract

This study set out to assess teacher’s perception and utilization of educational trip in teaching social studies in Bolgatanga Preparatory Junior high School in Bolga and Bolgatanga Municipality in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Four research questions guided the study: these were; What is the perception of teachers regarding the concept of educational trips and experimental learning? What are teachers’ motivations towards the use of educational trips in teaching Social Studies? Which factors demotivate teachers about the organization of educational field trips? What is the extent of teachers’ use of educational trips in teaching and learning of Social Studies in basic Schools in the Bolgatanga municipality? One descriptive survey design was used for the study. The major instrument for data collection was a questionnaire. Data from this source were then triangulated with interview. Random sampling method was used to select the teachers and students for the study. In all, fifty (50) students and four (4) Social Studies teachers were selected from Junior High Schools in the Upper East Region. Findings of the study indicated that Social Studies teachers have adequate knowledge on the concept of educational field trips. The research further revealed that Social Studies teachers do not often use educational trips in teaching Social Studies. The rare use of educational trips by teachers for the teaching and learning include: Difficulties with transportation (including cost) time considerations (preparation, fitting into the school timetable) and Lack of support from school administrations for educational trips. The study recommends that teachers in junior high schools should be encouraged by the use of educational trips as instructional resource to enhance the teaching and learning Social studies. Teaching time tables should be planned by the social authorities such that they make room for the organization of educational trips. This would promote effective teaching and learning. Ghana Education Service (GES) must ensure that the policy formulated on the utilization of educational trips in the teaching of Social Studies in the Junior High Schools, specified in the 2010 Junior High School Syllabus, is implemented in order to enhance effective teaching and learning of Social Studies.