Peer-reviewed research2017–2026 update
Nature’s Classroom: A Review of Motivators and Deterrents for Teacher Engagement in Outdoor Education Field Experiences
A review of 22 articles brings together what motivates teachers to run outdoor education field experiences and what holds them back.
What's new
Time in nature is recognised as good for children's health, learning and behaviour, but little is known about how teachers decide whether to run outdoor field experiences. This narrative review included 22 articles that met its inclusion criteria. It sets out the facilitators and barriers that affect teachers' decisions and their implementation of outdoor field experiences.
Why it matters in Aotearoa
EOTC in Aotearoa depends on teachers choosing to take learning outside. Understanding what encourages or discourages them can help leaders and initial teacher education providers support more of it.
Putting it into practice
Use the facilitators and barriers described in the review to survey your own staff, then focus EOTC support on the barriers they name most often.
How strong is the evidence
This is a narrative review of 22 articles. It summarises existing literature and does not report new data.
What to read
The sections summarising facilitators and barriers to teacher decision-making.