When you think about the concept of ‘outdoor learning’, there are most likely many ideas that spring to mind: Forest School, outdoor pursuits such as orienteering, bug hunting, physical education… and probably a few more. But for us, at Teach Outdoors, ‘outdoor learning’ constitutes something slightly different.
We believe that, at a time where teachers are under pressure to deliver an already-inflated curriculum and school budgets are squeezed to breaking point, outdoor learning should be used to support, enhance and teach ideas that are intrinsically related to the curriculum. Rather than believing that teachers should incorporate outdoor learning as a ‘extra’ to their timetable, we know that there are ways to teach existing curriculum content making best use of the existing school environment. For us, outdoor learning is all about providing opportunities to make learning memorable, and therefore making sure that learning sticks.
So what does outdoor learning look like in a Teach Outdoors school?
Phonics, reading comprehension, vocabulary, fractions, place value, seasons, habitats, data handling, grammar, history timelines… there are so many ways to teach the curriculum outdoors. The possibilities are endless, and no two Teach Outdoors lessons will look the same.
The beauty of outdoor learning is that our natural world offers us so many opportunities to provide hands-on learning experiences for children. Outdoor learning might be used to provide active learning experiences to small groups of children who need support in a particular area. A teacher might take out a group of children to carry out an activity on the playground, for example, to help them memorise a particular times table. This opportunity will help them to re-engage with learning and look at the task in a new way.
Alternatively, the outdoor environment might be used to observe real-life phenomena in action. In a lesson on evaporation and condensation, the teacher might set the scene by suggesting the children are stranded on an island and need to source clean water. The children can then be encouraged to make a water still and watch the process of evaporation and condensation. These memorable experiences really help to deepen understanding and develop enthusiasm amongst children.
At Teach Outdoors, we recognise that exciting outdoor experiences can happen anywhere – from a small school playground to a deserted beach, and everywhere in between. By utilising the environments and natural resources available, we have witnessed, first hand, the positive impact that outside learning opportunities provide:
· Increased enjoyment of lessons
· Improved engagement with learning
· Social and behavioural development
· Increased mental and physical wellbeing
There are many benefits to outdoor learning, both for the students and for the educators. For students, being in nature can provide a refreshing change of pace from the traditional classroom setting, and can also facilitate hands-on, experiential learning that is difficult to replicate indoors.
In addition to the educational benefits, outdoor learning can also have a positive impact on students’ mental and physical health. Being outside has been shown to reduce stress and improve mood, and the physical activity and active learning that often accompanies outdoor learning can help knowledge to ‘stick’.
If you are looking for way to enhance you outdoor learning provision, join us at the Outdoor Learning Conference on 13th June 2023. The conference is an opportunity to attend a range of workshops and key notes from experts across the outdoor learning field, while working alongside like-minded individuals. From exploring the benefits of active learning to considering effective ways to take the national curriculum outdoors, there is something for everybody to get stuck into. To pick up your ticket today, head over to the Outdoor Learning Conference information page by clicking below.
