Teaching a field-based course amid the COVID-19 pandemic: some reflections and lessons learned

Keywords: field-based courses, geographic education, COVID-19 pandemic
Session Type: Virtual Poster Abstract
Day: Friday
Session Start / End Time: 2/25/2022 03:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/25/2022 05:00 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 73

Abstract

Field-based education has faced special challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, given its core on interactive, hands-on experience from the real world. As many institutions may struggle to maintain this vital component of geographic education, this resource paper aims to illustrate the impacts of the pandemic and some strategies to overcome the challenges from the experience of teaching a field methods course at a university in Texas. While a number of studies have focused on evaluating field instruction amidst the pandemic, our commentary provides both a ground-based perception from instructors and students and a comparison before and after the outbreak of the pandemic. We found that the virtual attendance to lectures is a disadvantage to teaching and learning, and transferable skills like teamwork and communication are compromised due to reduction in social interaction, however, intrapersonal skills such as observation, note-taking, and organization were better received in their learning. Students expressed minimum safety concerns about the on-campus fieldwork given the conformity to the safety and health protocols. Based on the existing literature and our experience, we conclude with four generalized recommendations to share with colleagues in similar situation, hoping to help retain the critical role of field-based education even under the disruption.