Case study - learning outside the classroom

This is a case study from New Zealand where Learning Experiences Outside The Classroom (LEOTC) have been a mainstream part of the curriculum for 30 years.

Teachers are the link between the learning on a topic that occurs in the classroom and the learning outside the classroom, either outdoors in the schools grounds, or from the site visit to the local park or zoo, or museum.  Programmes provide students with access to tools, objects, exhibits, artefacts, expertise, and hands-on experiences that are not available in the immediate school environment. They offer unique and stimulating learning opportunities.   

Ensuring a successful LOTC experience

" Ministry research shows that you and your students will get the most out of the learning experiences offered by LOTC and site visits if you:

• are clear about the learning goals for the visit
  
• ensure that the visit is linked to the curriculum as part of a more extensive unit, and is not a one-off activity
• work closely with the LEOTC education officer before, during, and after the site visit
• ensure that you and the education officer have the same learning goals
• link pre-visit learning activities with the site visit, and follow up with post-visit activities. Activities and discussions with students before and after a visit enrich the experience
• ensure that (in collaboration with the education officer) the programme suits the age group of the students
• encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning (for example, by working at the site in small groups with other students and with adults).
  
  

Supporting student learning

To help achieve the most from the visit:

• share the learning goals with the students – the case studies show that this helps students learn because the goals provide a focus that students can work towards
• treat the visit as a learning experience for yourself – this will help your teaching after the visit
• if possible, visit the site or exhibition before you take the class. If this is not possible, make sure you work closely with the education officer before the visit so you are as familiar as possible with the programme
• ensure that you brief adult helpers about the visit and give them clear instructions on how they can help the students get the most educationally from the visit."