We all remember the feeling of being stuck in a stuffy classroom on a Tuesday afternoon with a teacher trying to inject some enthusiasm into the lesson. Try as they might, sometimes it just doesn’t work. But there is a proven way to take learning to the next level, bring the classroom to life and create memories that will last for years.
If we think back, many of us can remember experiences more than lectures. We remember the times when we could put what we’d been taught into action. Times when the theoretical met the practical and the textbook became real life. Residential school trips are one of the best ways to do all of that.
In this blog post, we explore why school residential trips are important and how they can be the best way to supercharge learning.
Alongside the learning aspect of school residential trips, they teach students soft skills that are invaluable and expose them to different cultures and environments at a young age. For some, it may be the first time they’ve spent any real length of time away from home. For others, they can spend time among their friends and peers outside of a school setting, making new friends and learning vital social skills.
Residential trips for schools allow students to put what they’ve learned in the classroom into real-world settings. Whether they’re setting eyes on the Mona Lisa, stepping inside the Colosseum or exploring the wildlife of the Costa Rican rainforest, it’s an experience that brings learning to life in a way that can’t be replicated. For example, a history trip to see the sights of Ancient Greece makes historical events come alive, enabling students to understand the context and significance of what they’ve studied in books.
By their nature, residential trips are built around interactive activities such as workshops, guided tours, and hands-on experiments. All of these can engage students in different ways, and active participation is much better at making knowledge stick and developing critical thinking than passive classroom learning.
Also, these interactive experiences, and the emotional and physical feelings they bring up, create memories that last. In turn, this helps to reinforce existing knowledge and connects it with the skills they’ve gained.
Outside of classroom learning and curriculums, the exposure to new experiences, environments and cultures that come with a residential school trip is one of the biggest benefits to students. Some may not have been far from home before or they may be visiting a new country. Regardless of their situation, experiencing new cultures, traditions, and perspectives on the world can deepen their understanding and foster curiosity.
Being away from home teaches students to manage themselves and take responsibility. From organising their belongings to meeting group deadlines, and problem-solving to communication. These skills foster a sense of independence and accountability that will benefit them in the long run.
What’s more, venturing out into the world and trying new things develops self-confidence which will last into adulthood, especially if they have experiences that push them out of their comfort zones, such as rock climbing, public performing, or navigating a new city.
Taking students and teachers out of a formal classroom setting can break down some of the barriers that exist between them. Students can see their teachers as other adults with opinions, interests and different perspectives while teachers can find out more about their pupils.
In both cases, this can build mutual respect and trust, and shared experiences can improve learning outcomes back in the classroom.
At Kipling Tours, we provide a huge range of exciting and unforgettable school and educational trips to destinations across Europe, The Americas, Africa and Asia. Contact us today to find out how we can take your teaching to the next level.
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Our tours are financially protected by our ATOL Licence and your payments are held in our trust account with the Travel Trust Association
If you are planning a tour with us, we can arrange an inspection trip so you are able to familiarise yourself with the destination and conduct any risk assessments your school may require.
Many tours travel with a full-time guide who will look after your group in the destination, and you will always be able to contact our UK office which is manned 24/7.