Do concerns for safety influence the effectiveness of the outdoor Dissertation

Do concerns for safety influence the effectiveness of the outdoor learning environment for children - Dissertation Example In practice, it has been proved that the value of outdoor learning in improving the learning abilities of a child is unique. Still, because of safety reasons, barriers are often set in regard to outdoor learning activities, a problem appearing both in the context of school and the family. Moreover, the perceptions of people on the importance of outdoor learning seem to be differentiated. For certain people, the value of outdoor learning activities is unique allowing the child and the teenager to develop his cognitive skills. For others, these activities are just part of the learning process. This means that under certain terms, the limitation of these activities would be welcomed in order to serve a need of higher importance. Securing the health and safety of children and teenagers is considered as such need. The increase of accidents and violent incidents during outdoor learning activities worldwide seems to justify such trend. ... the teachers and the parents, are not fully aware of the value and the needs of these activities. It is suggested that the increase of outdoor learning activities worldwide is initiated, despite the high risks involved, under the terms that outdoor learning providers are appropriately trained for providing effective support to the children participating in such activities. Chapter One – Introduction 1.1 Overview of the study The study aims to present the various implications of the relationship between outdoor learning and safety. Particular emphasis is paid on the effects of safety on the design and quality of outdoor learning. The improvement of the learning skills of children and teenagers has been a key challenge for educators worldwide. Outdoor learning has been proved as a key tool for facing the above challenge. However, the development of outdoor learning around the world faces significant barriers. Most commonly, the need for ensuring the health and safety of children and teenager is used as a justification for preventing the expansion of outdoor learning. The above practice leads to the decrease of the value of childhood. Indeed, it has been supported that ‘childhood is becoming undermined by risk aversion’ (Gill 2007, p.10 in Bilton, 2010, p.27). At the same time, the concerns on children safety have led to the limitation of the freedom of children to travel to school alone. In a relevant research it has been estimated that ‘in 1970 a percentage of 80% of children aged 7 and 8 years used to travel to school on their own’ (Tovey 2007, p.3); in 1990 ‘this percentage has been reduced to just 10%’ (Tovey 2007, p.3). It is clear that safety has highly affected childhood. Outdoor learning