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A pedagogy of outdoor learning in the primary school – Insights from outdoor educators in Ireland

Kelly, Orla orcid logoORCID: 0000-0001-9139-7792, Whelan, Joan and Coulter, Maura orcid logoORCID: 0000-0001-9406-2349 (2025) A pedagogy of outdoor learning in the primary school – Insights from outdoor educators in Ireland. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning . pp. 1-19. ISSN 1754-0402

Abstract
Despite extensive research on outdoor learning during formal schooling, there remains a lack of clarity about outdoor learning as a pedagogy, and consequently ambiguity regarding its contribution to education policy and curriculum enactment. The aim of this qualitative study was to synthesise the views of experienced outdoor learning educators in Ireland regarding the pedagogy of outdoor learning and to consider the possibilities offered by outdoor learning towards enacting the policy vision for primary education. Thematic analysis of 10 semi-structured interviews identified five interlinked components of outdoor learning pedagogy. These include experiential learning, learner agency, equity, relationality beyond-the-human and inclusive. Four conditions to implement this pedagogy were also identified, as follows: leadership, professional learning, explicit policy support and teacher agency. Findings highlighted how enacting outdoor learning pedagogy and making the outdoors a normative learning environment is a challenging and complex task, requiring systemic change.
Metadata
Item Type:Article (Published)
Refereed:Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:Outdoor learning; pedagogy; primary school; curriculum enactment; systemic change
Subjects:Social Sciences > Education
Social Sciences > Teaching
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > Institute of Education
DCU Faculties and Schools > Institute of Education > School of Arts Education & Movement
Publisher:Routledge
Official URL:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14729...
Copyright Information:Authors
ID Code:32032
Deposited On:19 Dec 2025 15:00 by Tom Feeney . Last Modified 19 Dec 2025 15:00
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