Research in Outdoor Education

Our research comprises educational practices in outdoor teaching and learning and use and preferences for green space by outdoor practitioners in schools.

 

A key area within outdoor education research is outdoor teaching and learning in schools. Increasingly, Danish teachers have introduced outdoor teaching and learning as a weekly ‘outdoor school’ day for children – called udendørspædagogik in Danish.

 

We are focusing on the current dynamics of outdoor education and landscape/green space management in relation to teaching and learning outdoors.

 

Our main research themes are:

 

• To what extent does schools make use of outdoor teaching and learning?

• What is the nature of outdoor teaching theory and practice in schools? 

• What are the preferences and use of green space among outdoor teachers? 

• What educational and organisational potentials and barriers are experienced by outdoor teachers?

• How should planning, design, management and maintainance of of green space be constituted in relation to outdoor education?

• What are the perscpectives for interactions between the research fields of outdoor education and the green space management? 

Our research and development projects are mainly interdisciplinary and so-called ‘applied research’ which are closely linked to practice. They provide a background for recommendations and guidelines for future policy, practice and action within outdoor education and green space management.

 

The results are disseminated and used by stakeholders and practitioners.

 

Researchers   Erik Mygind Associate Professor    Richard Hare Amtsconsultant    Inger Lerstrup

Mathilde V. Jensen Lecturer   Poul Hjulmann Amtsconsultant   Mette Åskov Knudsen Project manager

 

Collaboration

The research is conducted in collaboration with Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Copenhagen and University College Capital.