Role of fieldwork in the quality of teaching and learning of geography in senior high schools the Upper West region, Ghana

Abstract

The study was undertaken to examine the contributions of fieldwork towards the teaching and learning of Geography in selected senior high schools in the Upper West Region of Ghana. The descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 360 students and three Geography teachers. Both questionnaire and interview guide were the instruments used to collect the data for the study. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the qualitative data were organized into themes. Findings from the study revealed that the extent to which fieldwork was used by Geography teachers is small though it was affirmed by students and teachers that fieldwork is vital in the teaching and learning of geography. Further, it was recognized that challenges such as lack of financial resources, inadequate time, lack of support from school management and parents and lack of logistics and material resources such as vehicles to convey students to the field in most instances, deprived teachers from organizing fieldwork as a method of teaching and learning. The study recommended the following; the Ghana Education Service should organize workshops and seminars to equip teachers in the organization of workshops, availability of videos of field sites that are in line with the geography curriculum for senior high schools, teachers should also explore more on the fieldwork opportunities within their immediate school and community environment and all educational stakeholders should assist in the organization of fieldwork to enhance effective teaching and learning of geography in senior high schools.