Learning with nature: exploring three types of landscapes that facilitate outdoor learning for middle schools

Childrens direct experience of natural environments is an essential, critical and irreplaceable dimension of healthy maturation and development. A lack of nature exposure leads to obesity, environmental generational amnesia and nature-deficit disorder. This thesis identifies, thoroughly investigates, analyzes and discusses three common landscape types in outdoor learning environmentsnatural habitats, emblematic landscapes and edible gardensand accesses the learning intentions and potential linked to each type. This thesis further explores how the activities settings in each of these three landscape types contribute to the outdoor learning process. Additionally, it considers how design principles might optimize outdoor learning as we consider the pros and cons of the three common type landscapes to guide public schools in their decision-making. Finally, the study suggests various educational opportunities with regard to Georgia Performance Standards for middle school children learning in each landscape type.