A Reconstruction of Geographical Fieldwork Education for Undergraduate Teacher Training Programs in Social Studies at a Local National University

Abstract

This study attempted to reconstruct a geographical fieldwork education curriculum for undergraduate teacher training programs specializing in social studies through an analysis of the lesson “Fieldwork Training in Geography in 2016”, at Mie University. The study results highlighted the following four challenges: 1) limited participation in Fieldwork Survey Training in Geography; 2) a lack of educational opportunities for enhancing geographical skill; 3) the need for intensification of communication with both physical and human geography divisions; and 4) systemization of the method for submitting reports of the study region. In 2017, the authors initiated steps to improve the following three points of geographical fieldwork education in line with the fieldwork training conducted in 2016: 1) reviving specific laboratory teachings that deal with the basic methods for geographical field surveys to create and enhance opportunities for geographical skill education; 2) building collaboration between physical and human geography in general surveys and cross-sectoral themes set in the Fieldwork Training in Geography in 2017; and 3) adopting an excursion experience for students majoring in social studies as well as geography as part of specific regular classroom lectures, such as introduction to physical or human geography. It would be desirable for geography teachers not only to acquire skills oin basic field survey methods but also cultivate a capacity for geographical thinking for understanding specific regional phenomena through fieldwork in a variety of regions. This study suggests a renewed focus on fulfilling laboratory teaching opportunities to increase the significance of geographical fieldwork for students in social studies.