Action Research: Action Research: Implementation and Implementation and

Assessment for Assessment for Restoration-Based Restoration-Based

Environmental EducationEnvironmental EducationGrant Middle School EducatorGrant Middle School Educator

Dawn StickneyDawn Stickney

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

What is of interest to ME?What is of interest to ME?

I just kept wondering about:I just kept wondering about:

What is keeping teachers from taking their students outdoors?

Some teachers do not attempt Some teachers do not attempt projects that involve outdoor projects that involve outdoor

experiences for their studentsexperiences for their students

FEAR or What?

Don’t we need to support NCLB? We do need to comply with standards!

Insecurity?

What if I think….

I am alone?

These FEARS are REAL! Until you:

Make a decision

Problem Formulation

Research questions?

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Some teachers at Grant Middle School are not taking their students outdoors to perform activities that were made available and / or demonstrated to them through professional development. These teachers, although verbally agreeing that outdoor experiences are beneficial and could support their curricular requirements; appear to lack the time and / or resources to prepare for those outdoor options with confidence

Research tells us that Research tells us that we should enter into we should enter into projects that get projects that get

students students outsideoutside

Literature Research

• McEzvan, A.E. (2012). Time and Teaching. Education Forum, 76(1), 81-89.

• Shooter, W., Paisley, K., & Sibthrop, J. (2010). Trust Development in Outdoor Leadership. Journal of Experiential Education, 33(3), 189-207.

• Mills, A. (2009) Early-Childhood Education Takes to the Outdoors. Edutopia, retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/early-childhood-outdoor-education-waldkindergarten.

A few good resources to motivate educators and administrators

E D U C A T O R S

N

G E A R – U P

A

G

E ngagement

M

E

N

T

Green Play Settings Reduce ADHD Symptoms

Data Collection and Findings

• Survey (25 participants) MSTA

• Focus Group (6 participants)• Post focus group interviews (3 participants)

• I would take my students outside more often if I had:

• More information about how colleagues use outdoor lessons and curriculum

Agree (24) Disagree (1)

• Clear rules and consequences for student misbehavior outside

Agree (20) Disagree (5)

• Training and materials on how to integrate outdoor activities (Fun and exciting activities) into all subject area curricula

Agree (25) Disagree (0)

• More qualified adult support (Co-teacher/ teacher aid/ para-professional/parent volunteers)

* NA=1 Agree (21) Disagree (3)

FOCUS GROUP

Do you take your students outdoors for classroom experiences as often as you would like to?

What would the perfect outdoor learning experience look/sound like? What are some reasons that teachers don’t take students outside more often?

ACTION PLAN

CRITICAL FRIENDS - TEAMCRITICAL FRIENDS - TEAM

Small groupSmall group

Large group – classLarge group – class

ColleaguesColleagues

PartnersPartners

Search for System of support

Come prepared and be respectful

Use tuning Protocol

Tackle more when you can