Securing field learning using a twenty-first century Cook's Tour

Abstract

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of incorporating digital video into a traditional Cook's Tour as part of a 7-day road trip around the east coast of New Zealand's North Island over a 4-year period. Student-generated video diaries summarized landscape features and processes at fieldsites, empowering students through active learning and small group collaborations. Student response was assessed via pre- and post-fieldtrip questionnaires, focus group and video diary reflection. Marks were analysed before and after the introduction of on-site student video production. Results of this research indicate the positive influence and statistically significant effects of this approach on student learning.

Keywords::

• fieldwork
• digital video
• student feedback
• active learning
• marks analysis

Acknowledgements

Thanks to the classes of 2010–2013 for their willingness to contribute their time and opinions. Thanks also to Drs Martin Brook, Alastair Clement, Kat Holt, Sam McColl and Jon Procter for their assistance in teaching this field course. Thanks also to those anonymous reviewers tasked with reviewing this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.