A space aimed at encouraging holistic problem solving skills will give Somerset College Preparatory School learners the opportunity to be taught in outdoors.
“The new outdoor learning space is meant to be a place of refuge and delight and it is also meant to create a mental, emotional and spiritual space to our children,” said Craig Verdal-Austin, prep school principal, at the launch of the venue.
The outdoor learning space is aimed at further elevating academics at the school and teach children that learning occurs anywhere.
Located just outside the school hall, the outdoor learning space is spacious, covered and will hopefully bring great pleasure to the learners.
According to Verdal-Austin, the outdoor learning space is inspired by staff members who raised the idea of a space in which to extend teaching and learning. “Our staff members were feeling somewhat constrained by the inclement weather throughout the year and had a genuine and authentic concern for the children and their academic needs and interests,” Verdal-Austin explained.
An Independent Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (IQAA) report had also recently been completed by staff members, he added. Some of the report’s findings indicated a need for an outdoor space for teaching and learning.
“One of the findings was that there is a need for differentiated learning both in and out of the classroom.”
A further finding necessitated the need for the effective use of technology to enhance the learning experience, something that will play a role in this space in the future.
Quizzed on how the space will benefit the learners Verdal-Austin replied that the space is a beautiful outdoor environment to learn in and he believes it can only aid learning.
He added that outdoor learning experiences offer a great deal of benefits. Learners understand better what learning means, often assuming it is something that only occurs when a book is open and a pen is in hand.
According to him, high quality outdoor learning experiences are proven to develop reflective and inquisitive thinking along with problem-solving approaches in real situations. These spaces encourage the holistic development of children, develop resilience and adaptability, confidence and self-esteem and collaborative working and communication skills. “We want our children to understand that we never stop learning.”
The use of technology will also play a huge role in aiding in teaching and learning. The space will serve on many levels such as an outdoor learning space for all classes and will be fitted with technology and flexible furniture, so as to enhance the learning environment. The link and position of the space to the Preparatory Hall is part of the thinking in continuing the academic journey upon arrival at the prep school.
