A Survey Review of Studies on Specific Aspects of Teaching Outdoor Education.

Overview & Synopsis

Nine research studies are reviewed on specific aspects of teaching outdoor education. Study results suggest instruments useful in establishing school district norms for determining an environmental education program (Horn, 1977); use of the outdoors as an effective educational tool (Peck, 1975); better preservice elementary education courses emphasizing outdoor education methods and a need for inservice programs offered by outdoor education specialists (Mirka, 1973); and preparation of preservice teachers should include use of outdoor education, connection between outdoors and school curriculum, and use of the outdoors as a laboratory (Hammerman and Hammerman, 1973). Other findings recommend: an inservice program in environmental science to increase understanding of scientific principles and attitudes of elementary teachers (Hulleman, 1972); all second year preservice elementary teachers be given an interdisciplinary program (Kalla, 1972); and the outdoors be used as a classroom and laboratory when possible and appropriate (Chrouser, 1970). Another study discusses the Outdoor Education Inventory, developed by Craig Chase in 1969, as an effective tool for evaluating inservice outdoor education programs. Finally, a survey of 50 colleges and universities in the western United States, conducted in 1967 by Raymond Rhead, revealed a lack of research in teacher preparation in outdoor education and most materials available in outdoor education had been published from 1962 to 1967. (ERB)