Scientific Literacy in the Wild: Using Multimodal Texts in and out of School
Two kindergarten teachers used one authentic multimodal text before, during and after a zoo trip to build children's scientific literacy and their identity as 'scientists'.
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
30 items
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.
Promoting Adolescent Health and Well-Being Through Outdoor Youth Programs: Results From a Multisite Australian Study
School camps in Victoria, Australia were linked to gains in some areas of adolescent wellbeing and connectedness, with no change in others.
A Bayesian Mixed-Methods Analysis of Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction through Outdoor Learning and Its Influence on Motivational Behavior in Science Class
On a residential science week in a German national park, students felt more competent outdoors, and this appeared to have the biggest impact on their higher intrinsic motivation.
The state of school residentials in England: 2017
The first study of its kind in England found only one in five children experiences a residential each year, and young people in the poorest areas are least likely to go.
Field trips to natural environments: how outdoor educators use the physical environment
Outdoor educators on field trips often pointed out scientific concepts but rarely worked on values and attitudes; structured active learning stood out as contributing to a variety of outcomes.