Nature Walks as a Tool for Stimulating Learning Outside of the Classroom
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Abstract
I conducted a pilot study on college students taking an introductory biology course. I explored the impact of instructing students about fungi and plant biology on a nature walk compared to teaching the same material in a classroom setting. Despite associated challenges of an outdoor environment, nature walk-based instruction was as effective as classroom-based instruction in terms of content mastered by the students. Additionally, the students receiving nature walk-based instruction reported more positive attitudes toward the material despite potential drawbacks such as distractions, temperature extremes, and disgust toward environmental stimuli. Thus, outdoor instruction should be considered a viable alternative to classroom-based instruction for any topic that references the natural environment.
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References
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