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Outdoor Education Gives Students a Chance to Discover the World Around ThemBY: Guest User | Category: Nature | Submitted: 2010-02-24 09:49:43
Creative learning environments give students a chance to discover skills that they didn't realize they had, while providing an opportunity to apply existing skills in a new context. The typical setting for learning is usually a classroom. Desks, whiteboard, overhead projector or computer, pens and pencils, and books all bring to mind our early school experiences. But many schools are finding ways to instill in their students an appreciation for things that can't be found in a normal classroom setting. Perhaps one of the greatest examples of these experiential learning opportunities is Outdoor Education. Outdoor Education (also known as 'Outdoor Ed') is a camp experience that students take part in. The standard experience involves sleeping in cabins, taking part in nature hikes, arts and crafts, and other activities that might remind you of summer camp. But Outdoor Ed is not just about having fun. While most summer camps are primarily designed to give kids something to do while their parents work, Outdoor Ed and similar camps seek to partner with families and schools to strengthen students' educational opportunities. Instead of just learning about the genus and species of animals, students are able to see those animals in their natural habitat. Instead of just hearing about the American Indians who once inhabited our lands, students get to look at caves that once housed these natives and that have evidence of their lives there. One of the reasons that Outdoor Education works well is that it is a unique experience. If every week was like this, students would be more likely to become immune to the opportunities to learn that this program provides. It creates an interest and excitement for learning, while giving students a creative atmosphere for building relationships, strengthening leadership skills, and exploring topics that are best discovered in a hands-on environment. Another benefit of Outdoor Education is that it gives students a chance to apply the knowledge that they have already gained. While most of the educational process allows students to retain and develop their knowledge base with the intent of having them apply it in later courses and eventually in their working lives, Outdoor Education provides a mid-way point that coalesces knowledge in certain core areas (such as biology, botany, leadership, and astronomy). There are drawbacks to Outdoor Education, however. The high-intensity of the experience can be difficult for some students to handle. Most programs will provide for parents and family members to write letters to students, but if a letter comes late or a student is not used to being away from home, the learning experience may suffer. Another problematic issue with Outdoor Education is that of logistics. While Outdoor Education is often mimicked on a smaller scale for corporate retreats and leadership challenge activities, children and youth have yet to obtain the skills they would need to cope with possible (though unlikely) natural disasters or personal issues that arise during this camp experience. These issues are addressed according to each camp's philosophy and resources, but in certain circumstances parents are called to meet with camp staff or their child to help them through a situation. Outdoor Education gives families, students, and teachers the opportunity to connect with nature in an educational and experiential manner that benefits not only the individuals, but the entire educational system as well. Article Source: http://www.writearticles.org/ About Author / Additional Info: Comments on this article: (0 comments so far)
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