Lets Get Outside!

Let’s Get Outside!

While the classroom is a  very important part of the education system another area has come into play. The outdoors! Anyone who has been in a classroom for long periods of time can most likely agree that being in the same building surrounded by walls can be tiring, but when the teacher says “We are going to have class outside today” the mood changes. Some of the most exciting times in a class as a child are when there has been class outside. The thought of getting out of the class room and into the fresh air is invigorating to students no matter the age.

There are multiple benefits to and outdoor style learning system. According to the article “Outdoor Learning: Education’s next revolution?” by Laura Smith  “The relationship between outdoor learning and motivation was notably documented by researchers Julie Athman and Martha Monroe. In a 2004 study comparing 400 students in environment-based education programs with students learning in traditional classrooms, the authors determined that environment-based education significantly raised motivation levels. The results of this study provide evidence of environment-based education’s ability to improve high school students’ achievement motivation and support its used in school reform efforts,” the study states.” With this being said I think there are substantial benefits to the process of outdoor learning.

Some benefits include:

• Confidence building
• Builds leadership skills
• Gives an optimistic outlook on learning
• Learn how to deal with risks  
• Exercise/Fresh air  

These factors can play a role in the rest of a student’s education. With the confidence and ability to deal with difficulties a student can complete tasks that a student without the outdoor learning background may not able to complete. All in all learning outside can be beneficial for the academic purpose, but mostly fun for the student. I strongly advise teachers to open those doors and get those students OUTSIDE!