{"id":8680,"date":"2021-06-30T14:28:51","date_gmt":"2021-06-30T14:28:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.imegcorp.com\/?p=8680"},"modified":"2021-09-01T20:43:16","modified_gmt":"2021-09-01T20:43:16","slug":"outdoor-learning-environments-education-in-the-post-covid-era","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/imegcorp.com\/insights\/blog\/outdoor-learning-environments-education-in-the-post-covid-era\/","title":{"rendered":"Outdoor Learning: For some schools, it may become more than just a change of scenery"},"content":{"rendered":"
By Naseer Ahmed<\/span><\/p>\n A<\/span>s students\u00a0<\/span>continue to return<\/span>\u00a0to the classroom<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>many\u00a0<\/span>sc<\/span>hool\u00a0<\/span>districts<\/span>\u00a0are reimagin<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0traditional learning spaces<\/span>, in some cases<\/span> bringing them outside <\/span>to help support the safe return of in-person instruction.\u00a0<\/span>The Los Angeles County Office of Education, for example, recently released a 54-page report, Design Guidelines for Outdoor Learning Environments<\/span><\/a>. I contributed to this report, along with thought leaders from HMC Architects, Bernards, and AHBE | MIG. School administrators, parents, and students also provided input.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Moving classes outside is not easy. A school must not only be willing to participate but also be in a location with a suitable outdoor environment.<\/span><\/p>\n As students continue to return to the classroom, many school districts are reimagining traditional learning spaces, in some cases bringing them out.\u00a0\u00a0On top of this,\u00a0not all classes\u00a0are good candidates for outdoor learning.\u00a0While gym classes and reading lessons might have an easy time transitioning to outdoor environments,\u00a0other subjects that require more\u00a0resources\u00a0might not.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The guide covered various components critical to outdoor learning spaces\u00a0\u2013 seating, shading and protection, teaching tools and resources, space definition, landscaping, infrastructure, and construction.\u00a0Some of the strategies included:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As the mechanical engineer on the report, my contribution focused on the infrastructure needed to provide necessary electrical, technology, and\u00a0water\u00a0resources for outdoor learning spaces.\u00a0\u00a0For example,\u00a0besides hygiene\u00a0and hydration uses, clean water\u00a0can\u00a0also be\u00a0used in\u00a0different classes\u00a0such as\u00a0art and certain sciences.\u00a0Inexpensive, movable water supply\u00a0stations can\u00a0provide clean water\u00a0for drinking and restrooms.\u00a0Outdoor storage\u00a0facilities\u00a0positioned throughout the campus\u00a0can also\u00a0provide water\u00a0and\u00a0power utility connections.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Power\u00a0could also be provided\u00a0by power ports\u00a0positioned frequently around the school.\u00a0Besides\u00a0chargeable power ports that can be used without having to run utilities, solar-powered\u00a0ports\u00a0can\u00a0also\u00a0be\u00a0utilized to provide long-term flexibility.\u00a0These stations can be placed almost anywhere on campus.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Outdoor learning environments are an innovative and healthy way to welcome students back to school.\u00a0Highly flexible\u00a0and spacious,\u00a0outdoor learning environments\u00a0are reimagining traditional classrooms to\u00a0adapt to the 21<\/span>st<\/span> century\u2019s post-COVID world. If you are interested in learning more about the components required for such environments, read the LACOE’s <\/span>Design Guidelines for Outdoor Learning Environments<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or check out\u00a0this\u00a0<\/span>article<\/span><\/a>\u00a0published by Building\u00a0Design+Construction.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As students continue to return to the classroom, some school districts are reimagining the classroom by bringing them outside. Read about how to help support the safe return to in-person learning.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":8729,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[3,211,257],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blogs","category-covid-19","category-education"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n