Summer has arrived! With that comes warmer weather and a lots of outdoor opportunities. For students, this means outdoor learning. Educators are rediscovering the immense benefits of taking the classroom outdoors. Outdoor learning isn't just a way to break the monotony of the traditional classroom setting; it's a powerful tool that enriches education in profound ways.
Outdoor learning involves taking students outside the traditional classroom to engage in educational activities in urban, suburban and rural settings. It can be a short trip to the schoolyard, or it can be a field trip to a state park and/or environmental learning center. The locations vary. It’s about using the backdrop of the environment, whether a park, a garden, a forest or schoolyard, to teach lessons that stay with students long after the class ends.
K-12 Outdoor Learning Studies have shown that students are often more engaged when learning outdoors. The change of scenery can help break the routine and revive students' interest in different subjects. Nature inherently stimulates sensory experiences that are not available indoors, capturing students' attention in ways that boost concentration and facilitate deeper learning.
Outdoor learning naturally involves more physical activity than sitting in a classroom. Whether it’s a nature walk, a scientific investigation or just reading under a tree, students are more active when they’re learning outside. This activity can help to boost cardiovascular health, reduce obesity rates and encourage healthier lifestyle habits.
Spending time in a natural environment has also been linked to improved mood and self-esteem. Outdoor activities often require teamwork and communication, fostering a sense of community and collaboration among students. These settings can be particularly beneficial for students who struggle with traditional learning environments offering them alternative ways to succeed academically and socially.
The outdoors provides a vast array of real-world applications of classroom theories. Whether it’s a biology lesson on ecosystems while visiting the ecosystem, a geometry lesson on shapes and angles found in structures, both natural and technological, or a history lesson at a historical site, the outdoors makes abstract concepts tangible.
To integrate outdoor learning effectively, teachers don’t need vast expanses of wild forests or sprawling outdoor facilities. Start simple:
Nature Walks and Local Parks: Just walking through a local park and discussing the flora and fauna can be immensely educational.
Schoolyard Tours and School Gardens: These can be used not only for biology but also for lessons in responsibility and the food cycle.
Historical Sites and Museums: Visits to these sites provide a deeper understanding of history and culture.
Environmental Education Centers: These sites are designed with outdoor learning in mind and include experienced staff.
Outdoor learning is more than just a teaching tool; it’s a way to transform how students see the world and themselves. It breaks down the walls of the traditional classroom and opens up a multitude of possibilities that prepare students not just academically but also socially and personally for the challenges of the world. This summer, let’s step outside and learn.
Join us this summer as NEIU 19 explores the outdoors with our upcoming FREE educator professional learning opportunities:
MWEE Educator Experience Day: June 12
Ambitious Science Teaching Academy: July 8-12
Elementary STEELS Summer Camp: August 5-8