Technology-supported collaboration on field-based authentic tasks

The traditional ‘work-sheet’ approach has long been a favoured method for the conduct of field trips and excursions for school students. Such an approach fails to capitalise on constructivist theory and more specifically, collaborative learning, which holds rich potential to engage students and enhance learning on excursions. This paper describes a new approach to school excursions where learners are challenged in multiple learning contexts in a School Excursion Education Program at Sydney Olympic Park. The Park has a wealth of opportunities for the examination of a range of issues other than Olympic sport, such as natural environments, endangered species, pollution and toxic waste disposal, Aboriginal significance, sustainable housing, and design and technology in the built environment. In this project, a technology -based learning environment was developed for an excursion program for schools based on constructivist philosophy and collaborative and situated learning theory.