Field trips to natural environments: how outdoor educators use the physical environment

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nirit Lavie Alon ◽  
Tali Tal
2021 ◽  
pp. 105382592110190
Author(s):  
Chris North ◽  
Simon Beames ◽  
Toby Stanton ◽  
Bacon Chan

Background: During transport to and from outdoor education field trips, students experience a period of togetherness and minimal imposed structure. Transport time also appears to align with Oldenburg’s third places, where people spend time together without a particular agenda. Purpose: To examine educators’ perspectives on the contribution that transport time makes to OE programs through an analysis featuring the characteristics of third places. Methodology/Approach: The perspectives of 16 outdoor educators (four each from New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, and Scotland) were gathered using a semi-structured interview protocol. Data were analyzed using a deductive process based on the third place characteristics; four unforeseen themes also emerged. Findings/Conclusions: Findings highlighted the centrality of conversation between students and between students and educators; the low profile of transport time; and a sense of excitement and fun. Students controlled the intensity of their “presence” through the use of devices (where allowed) and by selecting their sitting position in the vehicle. Implications: The findings show that transport time allowed students to have a broad variety of conversations that could be variously silly and fun, deep and introspective. Educators are encouraged to more carefully consider the contribution that transport time makes to their programs.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Q. Amlor ◽  
Matthew Q. Alidza

<p>Studies into indigenous knowledge of African societies and their eco-system<strong>,</strong> and complemented by western research findings in recent years, point to a common fact that there is a complex interrelation between humans, animals, plants and their physical environment For this reason, Ghanaian societies enforce cultural laws that ensure protection and management of their natural resources. Despite the merits associated with African endowed natural environments, it is scary to note that to date, Ghana still faces serious environmental threats among which are: deforestation, annual bushfires, illegal surface mining, poor farming practices, unconventional methods of dumping human/industrial wastes and pollution of water bodies. This paper therefore attempts to investigate the causes of environmental degradation in Ghana and demonstrate how the people’s folklore can contribute to ensuring a well-conserved environment that can benefit the country’s present and future generations. </p>


Geographies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-78
Author(s):  
Sarah Little ◽  
Art Rice

The movement to reconnect children to nature touts the many benefits associated with exposure to nature and encourages designers and planners of the physical environment to incorporate more nature into the daily lives of children. However, connecting children with nature may not be as simple as designing more nature into the physical environment. Variables beyond convenient availability of natural environments affect children’s engagement with nature. Of particular interest is the influence of the social environment. The research seeks to build a model to understand the influence of caregivers and peers on a child’s direct engagement with nature. An initial model of social influences was constructed from existing literature and refined from findings from an original research study, a qualitative investigation exploring the highly imaginative and social experience of a group of boys who played in a neighborhood creek (n = 3, boys, n = 2, parents). The most meaningful social influence on the boys’ direct engagement with nature was the level of autonomy granted by caregivers; however, the physical environment supported the autonomy as well. The autonomy afforded an opportunity to navigate risks, forge long-term friendships, and support higher-order cognitive play behavior.


2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 238
Author(s):  
Thiago Domingues Dutra

<p>O relevo está associado aos componentes do meio físico natural e sua interação e gênese resulta de inúmeras fisionomias presentes na paisagem em constante transformação no modelado terrestre. Dessa forma, os estudos geomorfológicos são ferramentas para o planejamento e desenvolvimento socioeconômico destes ambientes naturais. Devido às observações empíricas, a existência de belos mirantes e escarpas, que oferecem cenários belíssimos. “O Morro da Mesa se localiza no município de Ituiutaba entre as coordenadas 19º01’37.60” S e 49º33’13.99” W  a sudoeste de Minas Gerais, na mesorregião do  Triângulo Mineiro. A área está inserida no “Domínio dos Chapadões Tropicais do Brasil Central” Realizou-se uma revisão bibliográfica sobre a geomorfologia e gênese das formas residuais no município de Ituiutaba. Posteriormente para a confecção do mapa hipsométrico foi utilizado o software Quantum Gis 2.10. O relevo do Morro da Mesa possui feições residuais em forma de mesa com topos planos, altitude de 726m, escarpas com declividade chegando a 90°, depósitos coluviais e cornijas, delimitado por superfícies de aplainamento, circundado por áreas de depósitos coluvio-detritos. A observação de belos cenários provoca ao observador um estado de êxtase e suas inter-relações provocam a experiência de viver o presente, dando valor à paisagem que é única em cada instante de sua contemplação. O Morro da Mesa possui potencialidades que poderiam subsidiar práticas de turismo visando à sustentabilidade do local, como os mirantes presentes. Assim toda a comunidade e os agentes políticos da região são envolvidos dinamizando economicamente o atrativo.</p><p><strong>Palavras–chave:</strong> Morro da Mesa, Ituiutaba, Inserberg, Geotecnologia</p><p><strong>Abstract</strong></p><p>The relief   is associated with the components of the natural physical environment and their interaction and genesis results from numerous physiognomies present in the landscape in constant transformation in terrestrial modeling. In this way, geomorphological studies are tools for the socioeconomic planning and development of these natural environments. Due to the empirical observations, it is possible to perceive the existence of beautiful belvederes and cliffs, which offer beautiful scenery. The Morro da Mesa is located in the municipality of Ituiutaba, between coordinates 19º01'37.60 "S and 49º33'13.99" W at Southwest of Minas Gerais, in the mesoregion of Triângulo Mineiro. The area is inserted in the "Domain of the Tropical Chapadões of Central Brazil". A bibliographic review was done on the geomorphology and genesis of the residual forms in the municipality of Ituiutaba. Subsequently, to make the hypsometric map was used the software Quantum Gis 2.10. The Morro da Mesa relief’s has residual features in table form with flat tops, altitude about 726m, steep slopes reaching 90 °, colluvial deposits and cornices, delimited by planing surfaces, surrounded by areas of deposits colluvio-detritus. The observation of beautiful scenarios provoke to the observer a state of ecstasy, and their interrelations provoke the experience of living the present, giving value to the landscape that is unique in each instant of his contemplation. The Morro da Mesa has potential that could subsidize tourism practices aiming at the sustainability of the place, such as the lookouts present. Thus all the community and the political agents of the region would be involved, economically stimulating the  attraction</p><p><strong>Keywords</strong>: Ituiutaba, Inserberg, Geotechnology, Morro da Mesa</p>


2014 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 430-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tali Tal ◽  
Nirit Lavie Alon ◽  
Orly Morag

Author(s):  
L. P. Hardie ◽  
D. L. Balkwill ◽  
S. E. Stevens

Agmenellum quadruplicatum is a unicellular, non-nitrogen-fixing, marine cyanobacterium (blue-green alga). The ultrastructure of this organism, when grown in the laboratory with all necessary nutrients, has been characterized thoroughly. In contrast, little is known of its ultrastructure in the specific nutrient-limiting conditions typical of its natural habitat. Iron is one of the nutrients likely to limit this organism in such natural environments. It is also of great importance metabolically, being required for both photosynthesis and assimilation of nitrate. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects (if any) of iron limitation on the ultrastructure of A. quadruplicatum. It was part of a broader endeavor to elucidate the ultrastructure of cyanobacteria in natural systemsActively growing cells were placed in a growth medium containing 1% of its usual iron. The cultures were then sampled periodically for 10 days and prepared for thin sectioning TEM to assess the effects of iron limitation.


2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Kuntsche ◽  
Florian Labhart

Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) is a way of collecting data in people’s natural environments in real time and has become very popular in social and health sciences. The emergence of personal digital assistants has led to more complex and sophisticated EMA protocols but has also highlighted some important drawbacks. Modern cell phones combine the functionalities of advanced communication systems with those of a handheld computer and offer various additional features to capture and record sound, pictures, locations, and movements. Moreover, most people own a cell phone, are familiar with the different functions, and always carry it with them. This paper describes ways in which cell phones have been used for data collection purposes in the field of social sciences. This includes automated data capture techniques, for example, geolocation for the study of mobility patterns and the use of external sensors for remote health-monitoring research. The paper also describes cell phones as efficient and user-friendly tools for prompt manual data collection, that is, by asking participants to produce or to provide data. This can either be done by means of dedicated applications or by simply using the web browser. We conclude that cell phones offer a variety of advantages and have a great deal of potential for innovative research designs, suggesting they will be among the standard data collection devices for EMA in the coming years.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac Munene

Abstract. The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) methodology was applied to accident reports from three African countries: Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. In all, 55 of 72 finalized reports for accidents occurring between 2000 and 2014 were analyzed. In most of the accidents, one or more human factors contributed to the accident. Skill-based errors (56.4%), the physical environment (36.4%), and violations (20%) were the most common causal factors in the accidents. Decision errors comprised 18.2%, while perceptual errors and crew resource management accounted for 10.9%. The results were consistent with previous industry observations: Over 70% of aviation accidents have human factor causes. Adverse weather was seen to be a common secondary casual factor. Changes in flight training and risk management methods may alleviate the high number of accidents in Africa.


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