What's new

This article takes a solutions-focused approach to help teachers and school leaders reconnect with the value and magic of Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC). It notes that EOTC faces recent and ongoing challenges, but that there are many examples of its positive impact on student learning and engagement. Drawing on the findings of a recent large-scale New Zealand study, it offers realistic and sustainable suggestions for managing the challenges that often arise when schools provide EOTC. Keywords include barriers to participation, student engagement, school culture, resource allocation and competence.

Why it matters in Aotearoa

It is written for teachers and school leaders rather than researchers. Its suggestions draw on findings from a large-scale New Zealand study, so they relate to the conditions New Zealand schools face when providing EOTC.

Putting it into practice

At a staff or EOTC committee meeting, list your school's three biggest EOTC barriers and compare them with the solutions in the article. Pick one to act on this year.

How strong is the evidence

This is a practitioner-focused article that draws on the findings of a recent large-scale New Zealand study. The abstract does not describe the study's design, sample or data, so the strength of the evidence behind the suggestions cannot be judged from the abstract alone.

What to read

The full article. It is paywalled: buy it as a single article or through a Set subscription.

Who it's for