We have learned that to memorize names and locations of mountains, rivers and lakes, without seeing their relation to a whole, or to make only superficial observations of extended areas of land, results merely in indefinite mental impressions, leaving out the very basis of all concise and clearly defined geographical knowledge.
To the end that definite mental images may be acquired, field excursions under the direction of competent leaders are now advocated, and when entered upon with an intelligent purpose are held to be indispensable factors in the correct study of geography.
Section of Stream Showing Rapids.
Under these conditions (the intelligent purpose and the competent leader), the pupil who visits a lake is likely to have a more adequate mental image of old ocean, than one who has never seen a lake or other large body of water. One who has seen low hills with their out-cropping rock, and the action of small streams upon them, will have a better idea of what mountains and rivers may be.
In the new education the pupils are thus in the field lesson brought face to face with nature. Through these lessons the powers of the imagination are quickened and strengthened by the continual observation of surface forms, the true basis for all attempts to image the structure of the earth.
Inferences are made at every step of the way as to the history of the physical features observed, and the nature of the forces that have acted upon them to shape and distribute. Areas and forms of land are constantly being compared as to shape, size, width, length and height, and simple generalizations, formed from direct observations, are combined with other generalizations, to form those that are higher or more comprehensive. This is but a brief suggestion of the part the field lesson bears to education in general.
In the particular study of geography it must be borne in mind that no essential knowledge can be gained except through close observation of the earth’s surface forms. As the true teacher of science in his classes in botany or zoology leads his pupils to an individual study of plants and animals, and also to a study of these in their surroundings, their social relations, so also the student of geography goes directly to nature for all fundamental knowledge pertaining to the subject.