Explain with examples how field visits increase geographical knowledge
Answers
Fieldwork is important because:-
It is of great pedagogical importance as it lets students experience the geography of a particular region which theoretical texts can't do.
Field surveys enhance our understanding about patterns and spatial distributions, their associations and relationships at the local level.
Field surveys facilitate the collection of local level information that is not available through secondary sources.
It is very important as it helps to gather required information so as the problems under investigation is studied in depth as per the predefined objectives.
Field studies enable the investigator to comprehend the situation and processes in totality and at the place of their occurrence.
All the geographical skills are used in practical during field work. You get to learn and apply the skills of sampling, data collection, data processing, making questionnaires, map making, statistical techniques to derive results, observational skills and skills of interviewing etc.
It helps you understand the theoretical concepts better.
It gives you a chance to enjoy a wide variety of environments and landscapes.
Develops an understanding and sensitivity about the culture and people of field area. This may change your biased views about that community.
And most importantly, it is enjoyable and gives you a great memorable experience.
Field visits reinforces retaining ability of information in the brain, this is due to the fact that, seeing is believing. Therefore a field visit on a certain field of study increases geographical knowledge as a learner will have a wide scope on the field of study. Also a geographical field visit also makes learning easier to be understood as it simplifies a complex concept of study into a simpler concept to be understood thus field visit increases geographical knowledge.