Publish at April 24 2024 Updated April 24 2024
Everything that revolves around educational facilities always seems to involve the interior. We're talking about classrooms, gymnasiums, libraries, cubicles, reading or study rooms, cafeterias and so on. And yet, the outside also reveals qualities that are beneficial to teaching and education.
The whole notion of outdoor classrooms plays on the didactic possibilities of green spaces. Above all, they also seek to make up for a phenomenon known as the "nature deficit", which could also be dubbedthe "Heidi syndrome", where the young protagonist could only cure herself by getting out of the cities and onto her high-altitude land.
The term popularized by journalist Richard Louv describes the fact that the younger generations have been raised and bathed in unnatural settings composed of concrete and where a large proportion of activities take place indoors. This lack of contact with trees, plants, animals and other species has an effect on us. Scientific research, including this one by Stanford researchers in 2015, shows that walking in nature regularly would reduce the risk of depression. Some have reportedly made links to increased chronic illness or stress in those who hardly ever go into natural environments.
In fact, the pandemic has revived the desire to get out into the woods or parks. A study published in early 2024 in the British Education Research Journal showed that students' well-being during the covid-19 crisis was improved if they had access to green spaces to go to. Especially since indoor gatherings were forbidden, but outdoor ones were possible since distancing was easier to respect. As a result, some took the opportunity to gather and study outdoors, as learners in Italy and Slovenia, among others, did.
The pandemic has since ended, but that doesn't mean you can't study outdoors in natural surroundings. Who says you absolutely have to lock yourself inside four walls to study? Of course, a library will be quieter than a crowded park in the middle of town, which is why it's important to choose the right place for your study group. Will I need the Internet? If so, you'll need to look for sites where a connection is available. If the students are looking for more tranquility, it's best to turn to more remote corners of public parks, forest clearings or simply the backyard of one of the group members or their parents' home.
Unlike an on-campus session, it won't be as easy to track down missing items. You'll need to think of everything in advance: teaching aids, pencils, pens, sheets of paper, snacks, something to drink, and so on. Prior organization is essential.
Don't neglect your own comfort, and bring blankets and portable chairs so you can stay comfortable throughout the session, whether alone or in a group. Of course, it's best to avoid external distractions, but also those of technology. Why not, for an hour or two, put technological devices on airplane mode, unless they're essential for revision?
The question of diversifying activities and taking breaks is essential in the context of studying away from home. Focusing on only one thing is counterproductive and can lead to boredom and discouragement. Nature allows you to take a few moments to rest from your notes, go for a walk, listen to music, have lunch, do a bit of sport, etc. As for study-related activities, we can go from reading notes to taking quizzes, to an impromptu discussion on the topic to be studied, etc. Varying the setting can also be a good tactic for maximizing the effects of revision. Some research has shown that this improves engagement, enjoyment of learning and memorization.
The benefits of these natural contacts are a reminder of the importance of moving away from establishments that rely on concrete, to places that incorporate more green spaces for learners to socialize, have fun and study. The shift is all the more important in light of the consequences of being able to go to such places during the pandemic. It was a very difficult time for students around the world. Both the difficulty of online courses and the loss of social moments between young adults led many to become discouraged. In recent years, researchers have come to realize the extent to which, from China to Nigeria, green zones have been a major key to students' mental equilibrium.
The ideal way to modernize educational establishments would therefore be to create gardens, parks or even natural habitats where wild species could cohabit with academic life. Those with limited space could always fall back on green roofs or "living" walls, i.e. vertical gardens. Those who can't afford such projects could form partnerships with organizations, volunteers and perhaps even public authorities to work together to green learning environments.
In the meantime, it's a good idea for students to incorporate some time spent studying outdoors, either on their own or in a group, to get a change of scenery, clear their minds and better appreciate and retain the main elements of their studies.
Image: minervastock / DepositPhotos
References
D'Souza, Jamie. "From concrete to green space: students redesign green schoolyards." Happy Eco News. Last updated July 11, 2023. https://happyeconews.com/students-redesign-green-schoolyard/.
Edwards, Jackie. "Can outdoor learning help hone your students' learning?" CYPHER Learning. Last updated July 28, 2020. https://www.cypherlearning.com/blog/k-20/can-outdoor-learning-help-hone-your-students-learning.
"Exploring new ways to learn outdoors." Mytour.vn. Accessed April 19, 2024. https://mytour.vn/en/blog/bai-viet/maximizing-outdoor-study-sessions.html.
Fouassier, Aurore. "Learning outdoors: breathing and memorizing." Sherpas. Last updated June 20, 2023. https://sherpas.com/blog/apprendre-plein-air/.
Gordon, Stephanie. "The why, how, and where of outdoor studying." Hillsdale College. Last updated September 11, 2023. https://www.hillsdale.edu/hillsdale-blog/writers/outdoor-studying/.
"Heidi Syndrome, or the lack of nature in our lives." Connections By Finsa. Last updated: June 29, 2023. https://www.connectionsbyfinsa.com/syndrome-de-heidi/?lang=fr.
Lemyre, Anaïs, and Janey Messina. "Green space vital to student wellbeing during COVID-19 pandemic." School of Geography and the Environment. Last updated February 9, 2024. https://www.geog.ox.ac.uk/news/green-space-vital-student-wellbeing-during-covid-19-pandemic.
"Outdoor learning spaces enrich students' lives." Government of Nova Scotia. Last updated March 19, 2024. https://news.novascotia.ca/fr/2024/03/19/les-espaces-dapprentissage-en-plein-air-enrichissent-la-vie-des-eleves.
"Make the most of outdoor study sessions with these tips." Daily News Spotlight. Last updated May 8, 2023. https://www.dailynewsspotlight.com/tips-for-outdoor-study-sessions/default.htm.
"Nature deficit disorder: the importance of outdoors for mental well-being." Leaf Complex Care. Last updated November 28, 2023. https://leafcare.co.uk/blog/nature-deficit-disorder-the-importance-of-outdoors-for-mental-well-being/.
Pasino, Sara. "Outdoor study sessions brought surprising benefits to university and elderly students." ELM Magazine. Last updated June 3, 2021. https://elmmagazine.eu/outdoor-study-sessions-brought-surprising-benefits-to-university-and-elderly-students/.
"Thinking green: why schools should have natural spaces." Yale University. Last updated: December 13, 2023. https://campuspress.yale.edu/ledger/thinking-green-why-schools-should-have-natural-spaces/.
"What is nature deficit disorder? Causes and consequences." Population Education. Last updated May 25, 2023. https://populationeducation.org/what-is-nature-deficit-disorder-causes-and-consequences/.
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