The study tour in China: An emerging mode for practical education

Abstract

The study tour is an effective mode for students to learn in an effective way. For decades, it gradually has become an emerging mode for practical education in China, underpinned by policies, funds, technology, and human resources. This study aims to showcase how the curriculum of the study tour can currently be operated, including goals, content, teachers, and evaluation, as well as what the potential barriers are. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used in the study through organizing site investigation and distributing questionnaires. The data were from 122 institutes of study tour in Zhejiang Province as the outstanding example. According to the results, we find that even though there are numerous study tour courses, the syllabi are not rigorous and the professional literacy of the teaching staff is low. Additionally, most study tour activities are carried out with lecturing or sightseeing, yet without practice, inquiry, or operation. Therefore, with the study tour being increasingly emphasized, more professional collaboration with schools and universities should be put on the agenda to enhance the prevailing curriculum.