FIELDWORK
Fieldwork is an approach through which geographical knowledge and skills can be acquired practically in the field.
The field is the major source of primary geographical information (data). Therefore, fieldwork involves
1....observation,
2... interpretation
of what is being observed and recording the relationship between the human and physical environment.
Fieldwork in Geography, is therefore conceived as a field of study concerned with the physical and human landscape in both urban and rural settings and whose teaching must be based on three-fold study approach namely:
ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD WORK
1. Observation
2. Recording and interpretation
3. Making of generalisations based on this approach
WHAT ARE OBJECTIVES OF CARRYING OUT FIELD WORK ?
The aim of field work in geography is to:
1......Enable students develop skills of information gathering, interpretation and writing for future reference.
THE END OF FIELD WORK STUDENT SHOULD ABLE TO:
-Define fieldwork.
-Describe the different methods of primary data (information) collection.
-Apply the acquired skills and knowledge and record observed information.
-Identify the relationships between physical and human environment using the collected data.
Main content and concepts to emphacise:
1. Preparation for fieldwork.
2. The actual fieldwork.
3. Follow up activities.
4. Geographical significance of fieldwork.
5. Geographical relationships.
6.Methods of data collection.
7. Presentation of findings.
Reference: National Curriculum Development Center, Uganda (1980)
Teachers Guidelines to fieldwork in secondary schools.
Chapisha Maoni