Geography

THE IMPRORTANCE OF FIELDWORK STUDIES IN GEOGRAPHY AND FUTURE CAREER CONTEXT.

Fieldwork studies is an essential part of the ks3 and ks4 geography syllabus and plays a key role in developing multiple skills in students from a very early stage in their careers. However, it is sometimes disconcerting to see that students do not take their fieldwork study reports seriously as they should considering the fact that the marks attained will be recorded as project at the end of the year. There may be serious reasons for this lethargic attitude towards fieldwork.

Lack of adequate time to meet deadlines

Superficial research on secondary data.

Lack of concentration during the fieldwork exercise therefore not enough primary data collected to base the report on.

Poor communication skills

Inability to analyze, compare and classify data.

Not appreciating the importance of fieldwork in relation to the value it adds to education.

We function effectively and efficiently after we realize significance of the exercise we are about to indulge in. consequently we must realize that fieldwork study develops the following multiple skills in us;

• Observation and the ability to pick up relevant information from surrounding detail
• A knowledge of our immediate surrounding
• An opportunity to conduct independent research fro secondary sources
• Developing a strong team spirit organizational and leadership skills
• Arousing a spirit of adventure and recognizing interdisciplinary connections in the area of study.
• Encouraging to analyze compare classify, identify correlate variables
• Training us to express ideas coherently both verbally and writing

It is evident that fieldwork studies develop the key skills that are sought by University admissions and recruitment officers and ultimately employers.

Fieldwork study if taken seriously at secondary education level, forms a strong foundation not only for A levels and university education but also it is a window of opportunity to enhance personal growth and lateral thinking. It builds both inner and outer confidence and improves interpersonal and communication skills.

Let us collectively put our effort and determination int o preparing outstanding fieldwork reports that show the following features;

• A thorough secondary data research showing selective excerpts related to the source of information.
• Report writing that gives a summaryt of data collected in the field in clear and concise language.,
• A wide range of data representation methods used to show features indicated in the report maps, graphs, piecharts, flowline maps, sketch maps etc.
• A clear organized structure followed in presenting the report i.e topic, objectives, hypothesis, reports per objective, data presentation methods, conclusions and recommendations and references.

We hope the above guidelines will assist focusing students on the requirements of good fieldwork reports and will encourage a healthy competition in producing the best and most unique reports.

YEAR 8 GEOGRAPHY TRIP 2011

The year 8 conducted a very successful geographical trip on the urban transect from City centre to Kangemi.

The aim of the trip was to understand the zones of Nairobi urban area. First students were taken to Uhuru park view point where they had a clear view of the urban zones. They later proceeded along Waiyaki way where they had an opportunity to see the inner city, inner suburb and later outer suburb in the outskirts of Nairobi.

The students had an eventful morning as they put into reality what they had learnt in class. The trip thus made geography a holistic subject as part of the practical geography was incorporated.

Geography students on a field trip with their Geography teacher

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