The Outdoor Classroom
I believe that the outdoor classroom presents an array of opportunities for pupils to take part in both independent and collaborative, experimental learning.
There are numerous benefits to learning in the outdoor classroom:
1. It allows play opportunities and experimentation
2. Learning becomes more engaging
3. We can nurture and develop creativity and imagination
4. It provides motivation to learn
5. Improvement of concentration and can reduce behavioural problems
6. Exposure of new opportunities allowing a small element of risk (Stephenson, 2003)
7. First hand experience of outdoor learning can help make subjects more vivid and interesting to enhance understanding
8. Outdoor learning can improve personal, social and emotional development (Tovey, 2007)
9. Combat under-development and allows free movement
10. Through practical experiences children can gain a better understanding of subjects
11. The activities are child or adult initiated therefore this allows a more 'integral approach'
12. Outdoor learning improves academic achievements (Rickinson et al, 2004)
13. Promotes opportunities for informal learning through play
14. Develops skills and independence
15. Improves attitudes towards learning
16. Provides a challenge and excitement for the individual (Bilton, 2010)
According to Maynard teachers commented that when outdoors some of the shy or quieter children became more confident, while boisterous or aggressive children became calmer and more focussed and were better behaved.
Maynard also recognised that while teachers take a role in outdoor learning they feel less pressurised and more relaxed in their surroundings. 'Teachers became less of an authoritative figure and more like a guardian who is less concerned about mess or noise' (Maynard et al, 2007, p.259).
However Rahma’s et al (2012) believed that there are some drawbacks of the outdoor classroom:
1. The common subject is not the main priority
2. Poor weather conditions can affect the lesson delivery and teaching activities
3. Students will become distracted and lose concentration
4. It is difficult to manage and control pupils outside of the classroom
5. Time consuming
6. Expense
7. Intensity of lessons for teachers
OFSTED (2008) specified that the vigorous health and safety procedures and constant paperwork are seen as instant drawback to the outdoor learning environment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBAazwgTZNU
This video demonstrates the benefits of the outdoor classroom at Lanark Primary school.
An example of the outdoor classroom is Forest Schools.
FSA (no date) defined Forest Schools as:
An
inspirational process that offers ALL
learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and
self-esteem, through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural
environment with trees (FSA, no date, p.1).
Forest School is a specialised learning approach that praises the wider context of outdoor and woodland education.
The FSA (no date) contended that all participants at Forest Schools are viewed as:
1. Equal, unique and valuable
2. Competent to explore and discover
3. Entitled to experience appropriate risk and challenge
4. Entitled to choose, initiate and drive their own learning and development
5. Entitled to experience regular success
6. Entitled to develop positive relationships with themselves and other people
7. Entitled to develop a strong, positive relationship with their natural world
This video is an example of a Forest School in the early years.
Personal Reflection
I had very little outdoor learning experience when I attended school, due to lack of facilities, volunteers and time available. My school was situated in a urban area therefore, we would have to travel to learn in the outdoors. I vaguely remember one occasion, where my class walked to the nearest park and we collected different leaves and took them back to school. We learnt how depending on the changing seasons the colours of the leaves would be different.
Evaluation
Learning in the outdoor environment has a substantial affect on a child's education. Its flexible nature allows students to be actively involved in their own learning through exploration and discovery. Outdoor learning provides a sense of inclusion and equality. David, aged 14 declared ' I don't have ADHD when I'm out in the woods.' It enables children to be relaxed and comfortable in their surrounding environment. It provides children with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Isn't that what education is all about?
Bibliography
Bilton, H. (2010) Outdoor play in the early year’s management and innovation. 3rd edn. London: David Fulton Publishers.
FSA (no date) What is a Forest School? http://www.forestschoolassociation.org/what-is-forest-school/
(Accessed: 9th of December).
NFER (2005) Engaging and Learning with the Outdoors: The Final Report of the Outdoor Classroom in a Rural Context Action Research Project. What is the outdoor classroom? http://moodle.swanseamet.uwtsd.ac.uk/pluginfile.php/84250/mod_resource/content/1/OCR.pdf (Accessed: 9th of December).
Maynard, T. and Waters, J. (2007) 'Learning in the outdoor environment: A missed opportunity?', Early Years: An International Journal of Research and Development. 27, (3, September), pp.255–65. [Online]. Available at: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/09575140701594400 (Accessed: 9th of December).
OFSTED (2008) Learning outside the classroom. How far should you go? http://www.lotc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Ofsted-Report-Oct-2008.pdf (Accessed: 9th of December).
Rahmas, M. et al (2012) INDOOR VS OUTDOOR CLASSROOM: Disadvantages. http://moo2blueberry.wordpress.com/2012/10/10/indoor-vs-outdoor-classroom/ (Accessed: 9th of December).
Rickinson, M., Dillon, J., Teamey, K., Morris, M., Choi. M., Sanders, D. and Benefield, P. (2004) Review of Research on Outdoor Learning. London: NFER
Stephenson, A. (2003) 'Physical risk taking: Dangerous or endangered?', Early Years: An International Journal of Research and Development, 23 (1, July), pp. 35–43.
Tovey, H. (2007) Playing outdoors: Spaces and places, risk and challenge. Maidenhead: McGraw Hill.
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