A Case Study on the Effectiveness of Site Visit-Based Learning in Civil Engineering Polytechnic Education

Abstract

This study explores the impact of practical site visits on the academic and professional development of Civil Engineering students in a polytechnic setting. Based on observations and student feedback over three academic years, including visits to Shahpurkandi Hydro Power Project (Pathankot), a multi-storey construction site behind Haveli, Phagwara (managed by AGI Infra Ltd.), and various highway construction sites in and around Ludhiana and Phagwara (including GT Road upgrades near Jalandhar Bypass), the paper concludes that on-site exposure greatly enhances conceptual clarity, technical vocabulary, and industry readiness.

Introduction

Overview:
This study highlights the importance of site visits in enhancing Civil Engineering education. Over a three-year period (2022–2024), students from Ramgarhia Polytechnic College participated in field visits to key infrastructure projects, reinforcing theoretical knowledge with real-world experience.

Objectives:

1. Bridge the gap between classroom theory and practical application.

2. Familiarize students with real construction environments and technical terms.

3. Boost confidence and communication through interaction with professional engineers.

Methodology:

Students visited the following sites:

• Shahpurkandi Dam Hydro Power Project (Pathankot, 2024)

• AGI Infra Ltd. Multi-storey Building Project (Phagwara, 2023)

• GT Road Widening Project (Jalandhar to Phillaur, 2022)

They observed live construction, engaged with engineers, and submitted post-visit feedback via Google Forms.

Key Observations & Results:

• 90%+ of students reported better understanding of topics like:

  • Pile foundations

  • Concrete curing

  • Reinforcement detailing

  • Earth-retaining structures

• Students found it easier to visualize and connect classroom concepts after the visits.

Sample student feedback:

• "Real scaffolding made IS 2750 drawings understandable."

• "I understood slump tests only after seeing them live."

Conclusion

Field visits are crucial for diploma-level Civil Engineering students, making learning more relatable and practical. They improve technical understanding, boost student engagement, and should be made mandatory in the curriculum.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Mr. Rahul Verma. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.