The article about the NOLS study was neat because it shows the differences in learning styles and learning theories and basically says, "it depends on . . . " I think that's fine! Sometimes the learning mechanisms are stronger in peer groups, or with an instructor and sometimes just learning from the surrounding context is an important education.
The grounded theory is what really caught my attention. The authors quote, "grounded theory is an iterative process by which the analyst becomes more and more ‘grounded’ in the data and develops increasingly richer concepts and models of how the phenomenon being studied really works” (Ryan & Bernard, 2003, p. 279). I think that studying the process of learning, rather than the effectiveness of learning, is most effective.
Way to go Outdoor Education
Expeditionary Education sounds like the culmination and practice of what my personal philosophy of education would be. I love the idea of having a season-long project where all the basic, required elementary school skills are involved in one theme. Not only do kids start to care about that one theme (because of the field trip involved and a day away from the schoolroom) but they can start to see how important writing is, the value of math, the beauty of the biology and ecology on the mountain, etc. It's all encompassing and close to home.
I really like that this article is about a service project they incorporated as well. When students can use their knowledge to serve, it becomes more concrete. Plus, everyone likes to feel useful. It's a great way to get the information to stick.
Three cheers Expeditionary Education
