Nature's Curriculum

Every student learns differently and has different needs. Some people thrive on listening, others on visuals, and still others in group discussions. I've always considered myself a hands-on learner, someone who prefers to be immersed in the environment where the topic is learned rather than being taught the content in a classroom or via a lecture. There's a level of clarity for me in this tangible approach to learning; it provides a deeper understanding that goes beyond what I could personally gain from literature alone. A good example of this learning-by-doing approach is outdoor education. Recent research has found that outdoor education and learning can have a range of intellectual benefits (O'Brien and Murray, 2006). As such, more schools around the world are integrating field trips, projects, and lessons that allow students to learn in the natural environment. Similar advances can be seen in higher education. For an environmental science student like myself, this means fieldwork. My degree is centred around international expeditions examining a range of topics from igneous intrusions to polluted river systems.

Further research on learning styles, specifically those connected to hands-on learning, has highlighted a whole new style of learning I had previously never heard of called nature learners. A nature learner is described as excelling when in contact with nature and able to learn best when outdoors (Bay Atlantic University, 2024). This can be more significant than purely preference. Learning that takes place outdoors has been found to have quantifiable academic, social, and emotional benefits for students (Mann et al., 2022). Through my university studies, experiences like field trips and fieldwork have enabled me to tackle realistic issues that I may encounter in my future career. By approaching these challenges in such an environment, I feel more connected with the material I am working with. I'm in the field, getting my hands dirty.

Even for those who wouldn't classify themselves as a nature learner, the outdoors can aid in learning. The National Literacy Trust explains that outdoor education can be very impactful for young children, with benefits ranging from increased focus during group work to a more positive attitude toward learning in general (Tebbs, 2022). Beyond these more immediate impacts, a growing body of research provides evidence showing that consistent time outdoors can enhance both brain and body functioning, supporting everything from problem-solving to motor coordination (O'Brien and Murray, 2006). In this way, education outdoors does more than promote academic skills, but also develops a foundation for healthier and more motivated learners who will take these skills into their later lives.

Outdoor education is far more than an alternative learning method. In my case, it's the real-world application of lecture material where I get the opportunity to see the processes talked about in textbooks come to life. For young children, outdoor learning can be the start of a love for learning, or more simply, it can provide extra physical and emotional support during fundamental years. There are countless ways to learn outside, and numerous benefits you can gain. Every student learns differently and has unique needs. Still, nature-based learning transcends these limitations and can foster a more enduring connection between learners, their environment, and the knowledge they carry forward.

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Bibliography

Bay Atlantic University (2024). 8 types of learning styles: how do students learn best? [online] Bay Atlantic University. Available at: https://bau.edu/blog/types-of-learning-styles/.

Mann, J., Gray, T., Truong, S., Brymer, E., Passy, R., Ho, S., Sahlberg, P., Ward, K., Bentsen, P., Curry, C. and Cowper, R. (2022). Getting out of the Classroom and into Nature: a Systematic Review of Nature Specific Outdoor Learning on School Children’s Learning and Development. Frontiers in Public Health, [online] 10(10). doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.877058.

O’Brien, L. and Murray, R. (2006). A marvellous opportunity for children to learn. [online] Forest Research. Available at: https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/publications/a-marvellous-opportunity-for-children-to learn/.

Tebbs, A. (2022). The benefits of outdoor learning in the early years. [online] National Literacy Trust. Available at: https://literacytrust.org.uk/blog/the-benefits-of-outdoor-learning-in-the-early-years/.

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