Field Experience through Community Engagement: A Model and Case Study

Abstract

A crucial element in the foundation of geographic training is field experience and the opportunity to learn how to interpret the landscape. This element of the geographer's background provides a link between theory and reality. To enhance that experience, a place-based project focusing on civic engagement increases the student's understanding of geographic concepts, tools, and techniques while providing a service to a local community. This research proposes a model for developing classroom field experience that engages the student-researchers with a local community to address a community-based issue. A case study examining downtown parking in Laramie, Wyoming, is presented. The case study demonstrates how field experience, civic engagement, and collaborative learning can be incorporated into a classroom

地理学训练基础中的一个关键的元素, 便是田野经验与学习如何诠释地景。此一地理学者的背景元素, 提供了理论与现实之间的连结。为了增进该经验, 以地方为基础、聚焦公民参与的计画, 增加了学生对于地理概念、工具与技术的理解, 同时为在地社区提供服务。本研究针对让学生—研究者参与在地社区、应对以社区为基础的议题之课堂田野经验, 提出一项发展模型。本文呈现一个检视怀俄明州拉勒米市中心停车的研究案例。该案例研究展现出将田野经验、公民参与与合作式学习纳入课堂的方法。

Un elemento crucial en la cimentación del entrenamiento geográfico es la experiencia de campo y la oportunidad de aprender a interpretar el paisaje. Este componente de la formación del geógrafo proporciona un vínculo entre la teoría y la realidad. Para fortalecer esa experiencia, un proyecto de base lugareña centrado en el compromiso cívico incrementa el entendimiento de los conceptos geográficos del estudiante, de las herramientas y las técnicas, al tiempo que suministra un servicio a la comunidad local. Esta investigación propone un modelo para desarrollar en el aula la experiencia de campo que involucre al estudiante-investigador con una comunidad local para abocar algún problema de base comunitaria. Se presenta un estudio de caso que examina el parqueo en el centro de Laramie, Wyoming. El estudio de caso demuestra cómo la experiencia de campo, el compromiso cívico y el aprendizaje colaborativo pueden ser llevados al aula.

Key Words:

• civic engagement
• collaborative learning
• downtown parking
• field experience
• parking

关键词:

• 公民参与
• 合作式学习
• 市中心停车
• 田野经验
• 停车。

Palabras clave:

• compromiso cívico
• aprendizaje colaborativo
• parqueo en el centro urbano
• experiencia de campo
• parqueo

Acknowledgments

The student-researchers in the multiple planning courses have made this project possible. Logistical support from the City of Laramie, Wyoming, and the businesses and citizens that participated in the project were the civic engagement foundation. The coordination and efforts of Drs. Holly Barcus and Daniel Trudeau and the anonymous reviewers have made this Focus Section possible.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

William J. Gribb

WILLIAM J. GRIBB is Professor and Chair of the Geography Department, and directs the graduate program in planning at the University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071–3371. E-mail: [email protected]. His research focuses on land resource planning, 3D land use, downtown revitalization, decision-support systems, and Native American sovereignty issues.