veldskool

Veldskool, literally "field school" in Dutch and Afrikaans, is a term used in education to denote programs or courses that emphasize field-based learning outside the conventional classroom. Such programs are typically conducted as part of university, college, or secondary education curricula and are designed to give students hands-on training in data collection, observation, and practical techniques specific to a discipline.

Common disciplines include biology and ecology, geology and geography, archaeology, anthropology, and linguistics, though the exact scope varies by institution. A veldskool typically lasts from several days to a few weeks and takes place in natural settings, reserves, coastal or rural areas, or at archaeological or cultural sites. Activities often include field surveys, specimen collection and identification, mapping and GPS work, soil or sediment sampling, ecological monitoring, recording interviews or ethnographic notes, and the preparation of field reports or presentations.

Benefits include real-world experience applying theory, development of field skills, data-handling and safety practices, and collaboration with peers and mentors. The concept has historical roots in 19th- and 20th-century natural history and scientific fieldwork and remains a common feature of Dutch- and Afrikaans-speaking education systems, though the exact format and emphasis vary by program. See also field trip and fieldwork.