RESEARCH

A Systematic Review Protocol to Identify the Key Benefits and Efficacy of Nature-Based Learning in Outdoor Educational Settings

This review aims to reveal that Outdoor Learning, through regular experiences in natural settings, is expected to boost students’ academic performance and social-emotional skills, including improvements in mental health and well-being. By synthesizing international research, the review seeks to highlight the widespread benefits of connecting learning with the natural world for children’s holistic development.

Program Types: Social

Population Groups: Children/Youth

Setting or Context: Schools/Educational Settings

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Improved Physical Health, Increased Social Engagement & Skills

Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening

Evidence Type: Meta-Analyses/Systematic Reviews

Measurement and Evaluation: Program Effectiveness

Research Source: Academic Journals

Access: Free

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Summary

This paper outlines a plan for a research project. The goal is to examine studies about “Outdoor Learning,” where school-aged children learn in natural settings like school grounds or nearby areas. The researchers want to understand if Outdoor Learning helps students academically and socially, including benefits to their mental health, well-being, physical activity levels, and overall development. The research will look at studies that measure these benefits, following a detailed set of rules to decide which studies to include. The project aims to create a comprehensive review of research on Outdoor Learning, which can then be used by teachers, schools, and policymakers to improve how students learn and grow.

The researchers will search multiple databases for studies published between 2000 and 2020. They will look for research that shows how Outdoor Learning impacts students’ learning and social-emotional skills. The researchers will then evaluate the quality of each study and pull out key information. The goal is to combine all of this information to provide a clear picture of what works in Outdoor Learning, and how it helps students. The final review will identify effective teaching methods and highlight areas where more research is needed.

Link

Mann, J., Gray, T., Truong, S. et al. (2018). Systematic review protocol to identify the key benefits and efficacy of nature-based learning in outdoor educational settings. Int J Environ Res Public Health., 18(3), 1199.

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