An investigation to determine how the introduction of outdoor education supports learning in Key Stage One An evaluation of a primary school's individual approach to outdoor education

Abstract

This study focuses upon the effectiveness of outdoor education on primary school pupils in Key Stage One; regarding their engagement and behaviour. In addition to this, this study will consider to pedagogical strategies that are adopted by the teacher during the delivery of outdoor lessons. Mixed methods of qualitative data collection were employed to evaluate the aim of this research. The findings of this study support the view that pupils can benefit from a different learning environment in obtaining group work skills, a difference in behaviour, more enthusiasm and a higher motivation. The strongest outcome of this research depicts that common misconceptions of outdoor education from practitioners are often what hinders pupil engagement in lessons taken outside. If teachers lack an understanding of how to promote effective outdoor lessons, it raises the question of whether this approach of education is beneficial at all.