Outdoor Field Trips as a Pedagogy for Deeper Learning

• In Event: Out-of-school Learning: Engaging Communities and High-Impact Practices

Abstract

Leaders are concerned about youth well-being amidst rising standards-based accountability. While outdoor learning benefits child development, research on specifically designed outdoor spaces for deeper learning is limited. This qualitative case study, using a place-based learning framework, explored student experiences during outdoor field trips. Observations, surveys, and documents revealed students developed new ecosystem understandings, self-awareness, and peer dialogue, signaling deeper learning opportunities. This research shows how outdoor learning can facilitate transformational experiences. It contributes to "Unforgetting Histories and Imagining Futures: Constructing a New Vision for Education Research" by highlighting an innovative approach prioritizing holistic student development and environmental engagement.

Author

• Katherine Ashton, University of Oklahoma