Teaching a geography field methods course amid the Covid-19 pandemic

Reflections and lessons learned

Bibliographic Data

ID11955295
AuthorsYanan Li (0000-0002-9456-4514, Texas State University, corresponding author), Samantha Krause (0000-0002-6587-3166, Texas State University), Aidan K McLendon (0000-0003-1030-3024, Texas State University), İnjeong Jo (Texas State University)
Year2022
Volume47
Issue2
Pages339-348
Publication date2022-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Geography in Higher Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0309-8265 • E-ISSN: 1466-1845
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/03098265.2022.2041571
OpenAlexW4214570326
LanguageEN
Citations received11
References cited27

Field-based education is interactive, hands-on, and based on real world experience and methodology, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has faced special challenges. 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 provide some strategies to overcome the challenges from the experience of teaching a field methods course at a university in Texas. While many studies have focused on evaluating field instruction amidst the pandemic, our commentary focuses on both a ground-based perception from instructors and students and a comparison before and after the outbreak of the pandemic. We found that virtual attendance is disadvantageous to teaching and learning, and transferable skills like teamwork and communication are compromised due to a reduction in social interaction. However, intrapersonal skills such as observation, note-taking, and organization were better received in students’ learning. Students expressed minimal 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 a similar situation, hoping to help retain the critical role of field-based education even under disruption

Attendance · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Field (mathematics · Interpersonal communication · Intrapersonal communication · Medical education · Pandemic · Pedagogy · Political science · Public relations · Sociology · Teamwork · Geography Education and Pedagogy · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology

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