Study Abroad Field Trip Improves Test Performance through Engagement and New Social Networks Academic Article

abstract

• Although study abroad trips provide an opportunity for affective and cognitive learning, it is largely assumed that they improve learning outcomes. The purpose of this study is to determine whether a study abroad field trip improved cognitive learning by comparing test performance between the study abroad participants (n = 20) and their peers who did not participate (n = 365). Test performance was statistically identical between these groups before and immediately after the study abroad program. On the final exam, the study abroad participants scored significantly higher. Qualitative methods were used to identify increased engagement with the course material and the creation of new social networks as likely explanations. 2011 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

authors

• Brannstrom, Christian

published proceedings

• JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHY IN HIGHER EDUCATION

author list (cited authors)

• Houser, C., Brannstrom, C., Quiring, S. M., & Lemmons, K. K.

citation count

• 37

complete list of authors

• Houser, Chris||Brannstrom, Christian||Quiring, Steven M||Lemmons, Kelly K

publication date

• November 2011

publisher

• Taylor & Francis  Publisher

published in

• Journal of Geography in Higher Education  Journal

keywords

• Costa Rica
• Learning Outcomes
• PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
• Study Abroad
• Undergraduates

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1080/03098265.2010.551655

start page

• 513

end page

• 528

volume

• 35

issue

• 4

URL

• http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1080%2F03098265.2010.551655