Abstract:

Presumably, the need for outdoor environmental education is increasing due to growing awareness of both authorities and society. Self-actualization and lifelong learning in connection in various forms of educational tourism is receiving growing acceptance in modern society. In schools, environmental education (usually within geography and biology lessons) is obligatory. Teaching young people about environment is especially beneficial for the future environmental attitude of the society. Additionally, It have already been admitted that the outdoor environmental education is more effective than the indoor one.

The main goal of the study was to recognise the role of the outdoor environmental education in teaching of geography in Poland at the level of upper secondary school.

The specific aims were to investigate:
(1) what percentage of students of secondary schools in the main cities of Lesser Poland Province (Poland) participate in field classes,
(2) what areas are visited by teachers with their students,
(3) what environmental issues are explained there,
(4) what is the attitude of teachers and students towards outdoor learning, and
(5) what are the main constraints for that kind of teaching.

To reach this goal the survey questionnaires with geography teachers and students from secondary schools in Krakow, Tarnow and Nowy Sącz were conducted. Cumulatively, 650 random students from 36 schools filled the survey questionnaire (363, 155, 132 students from Kraków, Tarnów and Nowy Sącz, respectively). The schools were chosen randomly from three groups according to their rating. From that schools, 40 geography teachers agreed to participate in the interview.

The research shown that 58,6% of surveyed students have participated at least one time in field classes. The highest percentage of them were in the city of Nowy Sacz (77,3%), which is located in mountainous area. 36 of 40 surveyed teachers conducted at least one field trip.
In general, the students have positive attitudes towards such form of education. They consider it to be more effective and more enjoyable. However, the students’ knowledge about the variety of landscapes in the surroundings, potentially useful for educational purposes, proved to be limited. The teachers, while recognising many positive aspects of outdoor education, are able list numerous constrains regarding it. Nevertheless, students’ and teachers’ opinions shows that there is a big potential demand for outdoor education.

On the basis of the results, several practical implications can be derived. First, it is important to popularize and promote outdoor lessons for school students. Also, the infrastructure for outdoor learning should be improved (e.g. educational trails). Likewise, formal organization of school education should enhance ability of short educational excursions during lessons.

Keywords:

Geography, environmental education, outdoor education, field classes, field trips.