Group Interaction in the ?Outdoor Classroom':: the Process of Learning in Outdoor Education

This research is concerned with the educational process within an outdoor centre involving groups of primary school children. It studies group interaction between the participants in a natural setting by taking a holistic approach, giving an account of their outdoor learning experience in the context of a group.This book argues that a study of group interactions within a natural environment, such as the outdoor classroom would allow for a more insightful understanding of the phenomena involved and it could also shed light on the outdoor educational process, which has been neglected by research in outdoor education.Participant observation and semi-structured interviews were used as part of an ethnographic approach.The findings show that the concept of team building is central to the philosophy of the outdoor centre and of its staff.The activities, which are used as learning tools, are group orientated.Teamwork is seen as essential for the learning experience at the outdoor centre.The study also revealed that the different approaches of the participants influenced the way learning was constructed.

Ina Stan was awarded her PhD by Brunel University for research undertaken at Buckinghamshire New University.She worked as a research assistant and a lecturer.Her research interests are in ethnography, group interaction and education.