Knowledge
Beyond the Classroom: The Power of Outdoor Education
Outdoor Learning can help to bring many school subjects alive.
In the country known for ‘Gurukul’ where the ‘Guru’ used to train the ‘Shishya’ outdoors, Outdoor Education is not new. Outdoor Education is a term with much relevance in times of Experiential and Competency-based Learning. It provides a first-hand experience that lasts a lifetime, broadens horizons, and stimulates new interests.
‘Tell me and I will forget, teach me and I will remember, involve me and I will learn’ rightly said by Benjamin Franklin. With the rapidly developing newer tools and techniques to stimulate the child’s brain, the importance of Outdoor Education cannot be undermined.
Outdoor Education is a type of Experiential Education that focuses on problem-solving and critical thinking rather than memorization and rote learning. Unlike traditional classroom situations where students may compete with one another or remain uninvolved or unmotivated and where the instruction is highly structured, students in outdoor experiential situations cooperate and learn from one another in a more semi-structured approach. As the Students are engaged intellectually, emotionally, socially, soulfully, and physically this involvement makes the learning task authentic.
Outdoor Education can be of different types depending on the pedagogical requirement, target age group, and academic/non-academic sources like Student Teaching Experiences, Volunteering, internships, and Field Work Experiences.
During COVID Times I made short educational videos in my garden on vegetative propagation in plants, plant movements, biological control of snails, and parts of a flower for Class X students which they found very interesting. Point is that any experimentation and observation done by the student with his peers is retained forever. Based on Outdoor learning, the teacher can further build up on the concept with inputs from the students.
Outdoor Education is real learning. Not only does Outdoor Learning happen in the natural environment where the participants can see, hear, touch, and smell the real thing, but it also happens in an arena where actions have real results and consequences. Outdoor Learning can help to bring many school subjects alive.
In Delhi, visit monuments like Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Natural History Museum, Hauz Khas Fort, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Jantar Mantar, Akshardham Temple, Lotus Temple, Lodhi Gardens, Purana Quila, Tughlaqabad Fort, Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Jahanpanah Fort, Jama Masjid, Safdarjung Tomb helps to appreciate the glorious past.
Field trips to Scientific Institutes like IARI, NRCPB, and IGIB give enormous exposure to the latest techniques in science and future job options.
Open Days organized by Medical and Engineering Institutes are great opportunities for the students to learn and are awe-inspiring. Observing Baolis (Water Harvesting Systems), Zoological Gardens, and Biodiversity Parks aids in creating awareness of the need to conserve the environment.
It has to be planned skillfully by the tutor who should ensure that the learning experience happens in a positive and non-dominating way. Share your feelings and thoughts with your students and let them know that you are learning from the experience too. The teacher also has a role in providing relevant and meaningful resources to help students succeed and allow students to experiment and discover solutions on their own.
Outdoor Learning covers the acquisition or refinement of specific knowledge and skills as well as the sometimes more subtle changes in behaviors and attitudes that can lead to increased health and well-being and environmental awareness.
Author – Niva Chhonkar, Head Biology and biotechnology, Delhi Public School, R.K Puram, Delhi
