The term has been growing in popularity over the recent years, especially with the growing concern about our deteriorating environment. Place-based learning allows students to leave the traditional indoor classroom and observe their environment in its most natural form. Students work closely with specially trained staff at a range of outdoor locations. One popular place for outdoor learning is at a farm, where students can learn all about the different plants and animals that supply their food. Students become more connected to the things they are learning about, and develop responsibility for the land around them. The students who are a part of place-based learning learn to care for the environment and want to treat it as gently as possible.The students create a sort of community as they learn and grow together.
As a future teacher, I have mixed feelings about place-based education. I think that it is a wonderful idea because of how much practical knowledge can be gained by being out in nature and working with the community to accomplish goals. I think that every classroom should be able to experience this. My reservations about this method come in when I think about how well the key, basic subjects taught in traditional schools are received when taught outside of a classroom. How well do these students learn when compared to students of the same age in traditional classrooms. I think there is a very fine line between just enough place-based learning and too much.
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