Education Outside Classroom (EOC) is an approach often characterized by curriculum-based educational activities practiced outside the school buildings, in natural (e.g., a park or forest) or cultural (e.g., a museum or library) settings.

Nature as a learning environment for EOC

One of the obvious learning environments for EOC is nature. Nature is an endless source of learning possibilities: you can learn e.g. mathematics, physics, history, geography, languages, art, physical education etc. in nature. Furthermore, nature is also a good place for environmental education: children can be taught responsible action in the environment as well as the basics of sustainable living. 

Another great thing about the adaptable nature environment is that studying outdoors is often shared and not gender specific. Learning outside of classroom, students can find common interests and their collective positive experiences reinforce their feeling of belonging to the group.

EOC combining different school subjects

EOC offers countless opportunities for integrating different school subjects. The core idea for multidisciplinary approach is to help students to understand the real-life phenomena better and to learn the vital skills needed in the future. Education outside classroom creates great opportunities for studying phenomena and combining different school subjects.

The themes for multidisciplinary education outside classroom are usually broad and general: for example, well-being, life on the planet, my environment, good habits, internationality etc. This gives the opportunity to implement themes in many ways in different subjects in EOC.

Students’ role in influencing their learning environment

When making choices about a learning environment, teachers usually think about a topic to be studied and what could be useful for students. However, we should also ask students and find out what kinds of environments they find relevant, and what opportunities different spaces provide for them. Students’ participation and influence are translated into practice only when students are invited to co-talk, co-plan, co-construct and co-assess their learning environment together with the teachers and educators. 

Children and young people learn everywhere and all the time. To assume that the right type of learning can take place only in a well-structured classroom environment and according to the adult’s best thinking is to limit the power of available spaces and students’ potential. What is important is to realize that learning does not have to just occur within the four walls of the classroom. Ready for outdoor adventure? Join us for Step outside: integrating movement and adventure into your teaching workshop at Malta teaching festival on Thursday, 30 April. See you there!