Open Collections

The evolution of “Humanities and Travel” : enhancing curricular connections in school sponsored student funded travel

Crouse, Richard Dean

Most would agree that travel abroad is a worthwhile and educative endeavour. Assuming this to be true it is the object of the research described in this paper to investigate the process, practice and results of educator-directed travel experiences for high-school students. The vast majority of the relevant literature available deals understandably with tertiary (post-secondary) education, detailing surveys of students’ experiences either in company with other young people or alone, while the ages of the participants range from late teens through to late twenties. The overwhelming conclusions, while informative and revealing, are by their nature relevant only to tertiary and not secondary education. The latter has not been sufficiently investigated. One result of the project will be the creation and development of a program with a curricular focus on Comparative Civilizations and English Studies which ideally will be an in-depth cultural study, culminating with a trip “on location” in Europe. Areas covered will necessarily include the ecological impact of travel abroad and the concerns of local populations about sustainability and sensible consumerism. The research will include personal anecdotal experiences and those of others. This empirical approach, while not scientific and strictly quantitative, should nevertheless support the findings derived from the published investigations of those who have examined the secondary experience. The value of qualitative research will be acknowledged by use being made of information garnered from students’ (informal) interviews. Studies which are anecdotal may not by their nature be statistically sophisticated, but as with the information available in the studies of the tertiary experience mentioned above will contribute to an enriched illustration of the secondary experience. Travel lends itself to anecdote and stories of personal experience, not to say cautionary tales for the enlightenment of the unwary uninitiated. This inquiry into the educational impact of secondary school sponsored student travel abroad will contribute to the academic literature while the program will be a model for other educators to realise and adapt to their own needs and circumstances.

Text

University of British Columbia. EDCP 590

Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library

10.14288/1.0437712

Education, Faculty of; Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of

Graduate

DSpace