"I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand" – Confucius
According to studies, students find it easier to retain more information by experiencing an activity rather than sitting through hours of lecture. Since children have an inquisitive nature, they tend to understand concepts better through hands-on experience.
Schools that include educational trips as part of the curriculum provide students the joy of discovery and opportunity to learn new things through travel. Educational tours are a great way for students and educators to absorb, interact and to grasp theory practically. They are not only a huge welcome break for both the students and teachers but also of educational significance to both of them.
Educational tours have several learning benefits for students to obtain practical information from the new experiences. Here are five key educational benefits of educational trips -
- Real-world exposure - Educational trips undertaken by schools can be either to other countries, places of historical and geographical importance like museums, heritage sites, ecological parks, NASA convention centers, planetarium, etc. Children will be visiting places they have never visited before. Especially with a group of almost 50-100 children, it will be an exciting experience for all of them. This is done to give students a positive and educational exposure in the real sense. Students will not only have fun in each other’s company but will also be able to gain a proper understanding of what they are learning in theory. Students have the opportunity to observe new things and new environments. Students from Jain International Residential School, one of the best boarding Schools in Bangalore, are constantly exposed to such educational opportunities where they have undertaken trips to Sri Lanka, European countries, a field trip to the Art of Living center, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and also conducted a student exchange program with a school in Australia.
- Bonding – Educational trips are a perfect platform for students to bond, not only with their own peers but also with the teachers and adults who accompany them in a new environment. Such trips help children to open up, socialize and get to know each other better outside the classroom. Students get to team up with their classmates whom they might not be familiar with, for activities which require them to reach a given goal.
- Learning through experience - One of the best lessons students learn through educational trips is through personal experience. Students from Jain International Residential School went to Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 2016 where they received a better understanding of the bio-diversity, flora, and fauna of the island. On their trip to Europe, students from 4th to 9th standard and 11th standard experienced and observed in Germany the aftermath left behind by the World War II and also learned about the Holocaust. Trips help immensely in improving a student’s life skills such as problem-solving abilities because they get better at decision making and also develop more confidence and communication skills.
- Learn about local culture, customs, and language - Travelling to various places on educational trips broadens the outlook of a student, their perspective changes on certain things and they are better informed about different cultures and customs. Learning about customs, language, and cultures through the first-hand experience is more enjoyable rather than gaining the same knowledge from a textbook. Additionally, in every new city, students encounter a new culinary experience which helps them be more tolerant of others’ cultures.
- Make lifelong memories with friends – meet new people: Educational trips always leave a lasting impression on the students’ memories. From the conception of the trip till the end of the trip, each memory, whether good, bad or funny will be embedded in the students’ minds. Travelling teaches tolerance and patience which is essential for building a student’s personality. Students tend to make lifelong friends and memories not only with their peers but also with new people and places. During the student exchange program to a school in Australia, 12 students from JIRS stayed in the host family’s house where they mingled, adjusted and made new friends. They also exchanged valuable learning about each other’s countries’ food, lifestyle, and culture.
Jain International Residential School encourages children to learn through experience by exploring different places through educational trips. During their trip to Sri Lanka, students visited the Spice Garden, Elephant Orphanage, Gem Park, had fun in water sports activities and rafting. During their Europe trip, students visited Germany, Austria, France and Switzerland where they toured the BMW Car Production Unit along with the Olympic Tower, visited the Swarovski Crystal Museum, the Eiffel Tower, Disneyland, the Tills Mountain and many more valuable learning places.
Therefore, educational trips are always a fun, enriching and learning experience for both students and faculty members at a personal and professional level.
