What is Outdoor Learning?
There are many different perspectives and beliefs about what constitutes outdoor learning. Some of those perspectives are so extreme as to possibly act as a barrier to educators and students. Simply put, outdoor learning is the act of going outside of the classroom and school and taking part in learning activities in the natural outdoors. The greener the outdoor space, the more likely the students, and staff, are to experience the affordances and benefits of being outside. Out-of-classroom learning is exactly that, learning that takes place out of the typical classroom, indoors or outdoors. I like to use the terms out-of-classroom and outdoor learning instead of some of the more specific ones as it is more encompassing and allows multiple entry points and pathways for educators and students. For the sake of being thorough and for those of you who like more detail, on the OL Definitions page, I go into a bit more detail about the different terms that are used to identify different aspects of outdoor learning. If all you want to do is take your students outside to experience the natural world, you do not need to worry about these terms. You can just describe what you are doing to administrators, parents, students, and others as the wonderful pedagogy of Outdoor Learning.
More information is available under the Outdoor Learning menu at the top of the page. |
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Affordances of the Outdoor Environment
The out-of-classroom and natural outdoor environment have a variety of different affordances that enhance learning. An affordance is an aspect of the environment that invites and allows someone to do something they might not have done in a different environment. There are lots of affordances in the natural environment that encourage creativity and discovery that may not be as readily available within an indoor classroom or in a school. The natural environment has many affordances for all areas of the curriculum including flexibility, differentiation, freedom, memorable and enjoyable, respite, relevance, relational and collaborative, and physical. In essence, affordances are those things that the outdoor learning environment provides that allows for and encourages the positive impacts identified by research.
More information is available on the OL Affordances page under the Outdoor Learning menu at the top of this page.
More information is available on the OL Affordances page under the Outdoor Learning menu at the top of this page.
Positive Impacts of Outdoor Learning
Out-of-classroom and outdoor learning has been shown, through research, to provide a multitude of benefits and positive impacts on students. As a result of participating in outdoor learning, students have demonstrated better behaviour and increased self-reliance, improved engagement, experienced elevated academic success, grew more connected to their community, developed their social skills and relationships, and improved their physical, emotional, social, and mental health. Outdoor learning also benefits teachers and provides opportunities for the decolonization of education.
More information is available on the OL Impacts page under the Outdoor Learning menu at the top of the page.
More information is available on the OL Impacts page under the Outdoor Learning menu at the top of the page.