Place-based curriculum making: devising a synthesis between primary geography and outdoor learning
The article argues for blending place, space and sustainability in primary geography and outdoor learning.
Research, reports and guidance on education outside the classroom and outdoor education, with a plain-English summary of each and a link to the original. New items are added every week.
The library began with Education Outside the Classroom: Applied Research Readings 2010–2017(McNatty & Boyes, University of Otago, 2017). Later items were found, summarised and checked with AI assistance using the same method: every reference is checked against the publisher's record, every summary against the published abstract, and only items rated high confidence by two independent relevance checks are published. Summaries are a guide: read the original before citing it.
Research library
24 items
Outdoor education and school curriculum distinctiveness: More than content, more than process
The paper argues outdoor education's distinctiveness in the school curriculum lies in neither content nor process but in ways of being.
Outdoor education in rural primary schools in New Zealand: A narrative inquiry
The article examines how New Zealand primary teachers teach, programme and understand outdoor education.
In and out of place: exploring the discursive effects of teachers' talk about outdoor education in secondary schools in New Zealand
Interviews with eight NZ secondary outdoor education teachers show adventure and learning discourses sit side by side in how they talk.
The return home: Transitioning from a 28-day remote outdoor education programme
The research stresses supporting students through the transition home after a long outdoor programme, including assessing learning through project work.
Students' experiences with/in integrated Environmental Studies Programs in Ontario
Canadian students in interdisciplinary environmental studies programmes changed their environmental attitudes and behaviours.
Experiencing the different everyday on an international school-led trip: A New Zealand example
The chapter reflects on how young people on international school trips develop autonomy and learn, using views from students, parents and school leaders.
A review of New Zealand's EOTC policy and curriculum
The review traces how safety is understood in NZ EOTC policy and curriculum and suggests a more holistic view could guide practice.
Convergence between science and environmental education
A brief article examines how science and environmental education could converge to address socio-ecological challenges.
Outdoor investigations to connect water to you
A maths and science programme used the outdoors to teach about local water quality issues, with links to free resources.
Guidelines for assessment of experiential learning
A guide offering several strategies for assessing experiential learning.
Engaging youth in lifelong outdoor adventure activities through a nontraditional public school physical education program
The authors describe fitting enjoyable outdoor lifetime activities into a physical education and health programme, with rationale and lessons learned.
Outdoor education and science achievement
The authors describe using the schoolyard for science outdoor education, with repeated visits for observation and data collection, plus activities and web resources.
Investigating the impact of field trips on teachers' mathematical problem posing
The article shows how field trips and professional development activities shaped teachers' ability to create meaningful maths problems.
Enough of Ronald and Mickey: Focusing on learning in outdoor education
The paper asks whether consumptive outdoor experiences marketed to schools fit the New Zealand curriculum values of innovation, inquiry and curiosity.
Learning biology and mathematics outdoors: effects and attitudes in a Swedish high school context
Swedish pupils who learned biology and maths outdoors retained knowledge better in the long term and valued the social interaction.
John Dewey and education outdoors: Making sense of the 'Educational Situation' through more than a century of progressive reform
The book explores the history and philosophy of outdoor education as a subject and as a method.
Potential for excellence: interdisciplinary learning outdoors is a moral enterprise
The article presents Scottish teachers' views of outdoor learning and proposes it as an interdisciplinary moral enterprise.
Environmental education and the politics of curriculum: A national case study
A historical analysis shows the political nature of the school curriculum and suggests educators look to their own community for strength and leadership in environmental education.
Writing to learn: can reflection journals be used to promote self reflection and learning?
The article investigates reflective journals as tools for learning and assessment.
Assessment in senior outdoor education: A catalyst for change?
The authors argue assessment can drive student learning about sustainable relationships with the outdoors, and propose five catalysts for teachers.
Thoughts on assessment
The chapter discusses formative assessment processes that fit experiential learning and includes assessment resources.
Using handhelds to support students' outdoor educational activities
A pilot gave handheld computers to Year 12 geography students on a field trip and produced recommendations for using them in fieldwork.
Time for change in outdoor learning
Outdoor learning is presented as an effective way to meet curriculum aims, with a call for fairer access and funding.