Date of Award
Spring 5-1-2019
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science - Resource Interpretation
Department
Forestry
First Advisor
Dr. Shelby Gull Laird
Second Advisor
Dr Ray Darville
Third Advisor
Dr. Nathan Templeton
Abstract
Historically, a key part of a child’s development was their exposure to and relationship with the world outdoors – nature. The current movement to promote the inclusion of environmental and outdoor education into curricular and extracurricular activities stems from the mounting evidence that experiences in the outdoors may improve a child’s behavior and mood, as well as improve their academic performance. This mixed-methods study hoped to discover whether or not, on average, children improve their academic performance and/or their individual behavior in school when provided with outdoor education learning experiences. The mindset used in outdoor education research may have to change as the results of this study showed that children typically spend more time outside than the literature shows. The children in this study although they want to utilize their phones and other technological devices more regularly still spend a rather abundant amount of time outside engaged in free play and exploration. This indicating that our perceptions of how the current generation may be biased and inaccurate.
Repository Citation
stiefel, trenton, "Outdoor Education’s Relationship to Adolescent Behavior and Academic Performance in Two East Texas Middle Schools" (2019). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 265.
https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/265
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Included in
Other Forestry and Forest Sciences Commons, Other Sociology Commons, Outdoor Education Commons
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