Knowledge
From Adventure to Education: Understanding the Importance of Outdoor Learning
There is a different kind of enthusiasm among learners for outdoor activities and they participate willingly and happily
As rightly said by Stephen Moss “Nature is a tool to get children to experience not just the wider world but themselves.” Education is the foundation of a person’s growth. A good education makes a person a good human being with a productive mind.
Education is and was never limited to the four walls of the classroom. We can learn something every time either from other people or the environment itself. Nature is the biggest teacher it teaches us various skills. As rightly said by John Lubbock “Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountains and the sea are excellent schoolmasters, and teach us more than we can ever learn from books.” Mountains teach us to be strong and stand tall, rivers teach us to keep flowing, and trees teach us to take care of others.
The knowledge imparted within the four walls of the classroom cannot have that impact as the knowledge imparted through an outdoor approach. Teaching about animals along with theory and a visit to the zoo can have a better effect than merely explaining about it. Practically measuring and learning about area and perimeter is always better than only doing it in the notebook, as the practical approach provides more clarity and helps in a thorough understanding of the concept.
Outdoor education is important for several reasons. Firstly, it helps in the overall development of the body, mind, and soul. It breaks the monotony of classroom learning, allowing learners to spend time in the fresh air and engage with nature. This experience helps learners to remain healthy, fit, and alert.
Secondly, outdoor education provides a more impactful and effective learning experience. It enables learners to feel and experience things that they might have only imagined. Learning by doing has a better impact than learning by listening only. It allows students to develop various life skills, such as teamwork, collaboration, communication, and empathy
Thirdly, outdoor education enhances school performance. Research has documented increased standardized test scores, improved in-school behavior, enhanced attitudes about school, improved attendance, and overall enhanced student achievement when students learn in and about nature.
The Gurukul system in India is a most appropriate example of this. The students were exposed to different kinds of learning experiences they took the cattle to pasture, collected firewood, gathered fruit, cultivated kindness to all creatures, and grew in their spirit with their teachers. Thus they were ready to face challenges and difficult situations easily. In childhood, we learn our lessons with the aid of both body and mind, with all the senses active and eager. When children are sent to school, the doors of natural information are closed to them, and the inquisitive mind misses the stream of ideas from nature, because the teachers, in their wisdom, think these things bring distraction, and has no purpose behind them, and so the growth of the child’s mind is not only injured but forcibly hampered and limited.
Children should be surrounded by the things of nature which have educational value. The monotonous system of education is continued and transferred from one generation to another as people have a fixed mindset that students should be taught within the four walls of the classroom to make them disciplined.
Renowned author and poet Guru Rabindranath Tagore a victim of this system of education established a school in a beautiful spot, far away from town, where the children had the greatest freedom possible, where boys might be free despite the school.
Children develop and learn various skills while learning. They learn teamwork; collaboration, cooperation, communication, empathy, etc. There might be some students having anxiety sitting in a room and once they are out of the room, we find a different child. We cannot make anyone learn things forcibly. The knowledge imparted with love and in a conducive environment stays for a long with the learners. The things learned happily stay forever in the minds of the learner.
The lesson plan should have a scope for one outdoor activity to make it more impactful. The students develop various life skills by learning and doing. Some outdoor activities like camping help students gain confidence and work in groups. They learn to share and care for their peers. They build connections that remain with them throughout their lives. Moreover, the memories they create remain with them close to their hearts.
When learning is taken outside and students are given a chance to work together magic happens. Students often learn best when learning from one another. This improves not only their academics but also their social skills.
The excitement and willingness of students for outdoor activities can be seen in their smiles as the teacher announces such activities. Students develop better communication skills as they get to interact with different people. Learners develop empathy when they see the difficulties faced by other people and appreciate the facilities they have. They learn to respect others’ feelings when they put themselves into others’ shoes. When they move out of their rooms they see and understand the hardships faced by other people.
We learn from here and there
Yes we learn everywhere
A school is a temple of learning
Students benefit from both outdoor and indoor teaching
Learners develop collaboration, teamwork skills
Which creates excitement and thrills
Nature is the best teacher
We learn things from every creature
The education system should have a scope for all kinds of teaching. It should offer the learners a plethora of activities. The best combination of any teaching plan is it offers a variety of activities for different kinds of learners. A number of studies has documented increased school performance through outdoor education. Students who learn outdoors learn to take initiative and develop decision-making skills, creativity, and self-discipline.
There is a different kind of enthusiasm among learners for outdoor activities and they participate willingly and happily. Schools can even invite parents to be a part of such activities to develop better connections and relations with each other. They are happily involved in teaching–learning process.
So outdoor activities are an integral part of the effective teaching-learning process. This will surely help our learners bloom in a happy environment where they are willing to learn and explore.
Finally, outdoor education helps learners to develop an appreciation for nature and the environment. They become more empathetic toward others.
In conclusion, outdoor education is an essential aspect of effective teaching-learning processes. A combination of indoor and outdoor teaching methods provides learners with a variety of activities that cater to different kinds of learners and give children unique practical experiences. It encourages the holistic development of children and they develop resilience, adaptability, self-awareness, confidence, and self–esteem. They learn to think outside the box and can relieve their stress.
Author – Amita Suri, Ahlcon International School, Delhi
