Field trips and off campus learning activities
Inclusive fieldwork and off campus activities require thorough design, planning and preparation
Making field trips and off campus activities inclusive
Staff may need to make adjustments in their approach to teaching in order to comply with the Equality Act 2010. The underpinning concept here is that we develop and apply an inclusive pedagogy, which in itself is the reasonable adjustment that removes disadvantage, so that students with a disability need no further, additional support. The actions that constitute an inclusive pedagogy are set out in the guidance below.
In some situations an inclusive pedagogy is not sufficient adjustment, and more support is needed. These situations are likely to include:
- specific learning environments, such as fieldwork, lab work and placements
- for some students, everyday classroom settings, because the inclusive pedagogy described above does not remove the disadvantage sufficiently
- In these situations, the University, through Disability Services, will assess the additional support needs of the student and identify, source and pay for such support, up to a maximum amount.
University of Plymouth Code of Practice and Guidance
- The University of Plymouth Code of practice for field work and off site activities (login required).
- The University of Plymouth Guidance for Schools for inclusive off campus learning activities, residential,day field trips contains information, guidance and instructions for module leaders and others running field trips.
- Advice for academic staff on how to assist students with specific disabilities on field trips.
Further information
- Royal Geographic Society – information on inclusive fieldwork and expeditions.
- Six web-based guides from the Geography Discipline Network at the University of Gloucestershire are the result of the 'Learning Support for Disabled Students Undertaking Fieldwork and Related Activities' project, funded by HEFCE's Improving Provision for Disabled Students Funding Programme.
- Alison Stokes and Mark Anderson from GEES presentation at the Geological Society 2015: Accessible fieldwork in higher education: challenges and opportunities.
Virtual Field Trips
"Enhancing Student Employability Skills Through Virtual Field Trips in the Hospitality Industry". View report
The University of Otago. NZ delivers field trips in Geology.
Virtual Field Trip Simulation for Occupational Medicine Distant Learners – University of Otago NZ.
Virtual Training Environment for the collection and recording of field data on a field map. University of Leeds
The Open Field Lab – Enhancing Access to Fieldwork – Open University
Enabling Remote Activity (ERA)- Open University.