Falling into LINE: school strategies for overcoming challenges associated with learning in natural environments (LINE). Issue 1 (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Edwards-Jones, Andrew; Waite, Sue; Passy, Rowena
• Is Part Of: Education 3-13. Volume 46:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 49
• Page End: 63
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Outdoor learning -- learning in the natural environment -- learning outside the classroom -- barriers -- natural connections -- curriculum learning -- school grounds; Education -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Education, Primary -- Periodicals; Education, Elementary -- Periodicals; 372.942
• DOI: 10.1080/03004279.2016.1176066
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-4279

Abstract

ABSTRACT: As the benefits of outdoor learning have become of increasing interest to the education sector, so the importance of understanding and overcoming challenges associated with this pedagogy has gained greater significance. The Natural Connections Demonstration Project recruited primary, secondary, and special schools across south-west England with a view to stimulating and supporting 'learning in the natural environment' across the region. This research paper examines qualitative data obtained from case study visits to 12 of these schools. The results from teaching staff interviews and focus groups show that schools face many and varied challenges to embedding outdoor learning, and a raft of strategies are presented for tackling these challenges and integrating learning in the natural environment into much of the current curriculum.