Teaching maths outside the classroom: does it make a difference?. Issue 1 (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Otte, Camilla R.; Bølling, Mads; Elsborg, Peter; Nielsen, Glen; Bentsen, Peter
• Is Part Of: Educational research. Volume 61:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 38
• Page End: 52
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Assessment -- learning -- mathematics -- outdoor education -- schoolchildren -- teaching; Education -- Research -- Periodicals; Education -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 370.72
• DOI: 10.1080/00131881.2019.1567270
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-1881

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: An emerging field of research indicates that the use of learning environments other than the classroom can improve pupils' academic achievement in several subjects, including their skills in mathematics. Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between Education Outside the Classroom (EOtC) and pupils' skills in mathematics. Methods: This explorative, quasi-experimental study involved schoolchildren (aged 9–13 years) from 15 Danish public schools who participated in EOtC over the course of a school year. The mathematical skills of pupils from 23 EOtC maths intervention classes ( n =421) and 12 EOtC non-maths comparison classes ( n =198) were measured at the start and end of the 2014–2015 school year. Results: Both groups showed improved maths skills; however, we found no significant difference between the EOtC maths and the comparison groups. Conclusion: The results indicate that, in this explorative study, moving maths teaching outside the classroom neither harmed nor improved pupils' mathematical skills. These results and implications for research are discussed.