Students investigating intertidal flats at Kettle Cove in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.
What is place-based learning?
Place-based learning is a philosophy of education that uses the local community and surrounding environment as an integrating context for multidisciplinary learning. It is characterized by student-driven, project-based explorations of local environmental issues, social questions, cultural heritage, or civic leadership. Students learn and build skills through interactions with local community members and investigations of their natural surroundings. They apply their learning to help solve “real” problems, catalyze change, document history, and celebrate local identity.
The Value of Place-based Learning
A growing body of education research shows that place-based learning provides students with a local context and relevance that inspires and motivates them to learn, serve their communities, and help protect their environment. A recent review of studies on the benefits of place-based learning conducted by the Place-based Education Evaluation Collaborative found that participating students often exhibit:
Higher scores on standardized measures of academic achievement
Higher-level thinking skills
Improved behavior in class
Greater pride and ownership in accomplishments
Increases in self-esteem and conflict resolution skills
In addition, communities benefit from closer ties to local schools and greater engagement of young citizens in local issues and service projects. In many cases, students’ enthusiasm for place-based learning projects also helps to engage parents in student learning and school or community activities.
Tips for Getting Started in YOUR Place
Focus on your place. Give students opportunities to explore their communities through research, personal reflection, and exploration – Who are we? What is our history? Why are we unique? How are we connected to our natural surroundings?
Find out what is going on! Attend meetings of your city council, conservation commission, or local watershed organization to identify local issues or ongoing projects related to concepts you are studying in the classroom – “real world” examples provide context, life, and meaning!
Find out who your local “experts” are. Invite local professionals from a variety of backgrounds to visit your classroom and share their perspectives on the issue at hand.
Investigate! Work with students and your community “experts” to design research investigations of your own, and visit local libraries or historical collections to learn more.
Take action! Apply student learning and serve your community. Work with community members to help solve a local problem.
Placed-Based Learning
Students investigating intertidal flats at Kettle Cove in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.
What is place-based learning?
Place-based learning is a philosophy of education that uses the local community and surrounding environment as an integrating context for multidisciplinary learning. It is characterized by student-driven, project-based explorations of local environmental issues, social questions, cultural heritage, or civic leadership. Students learn and build skills through interactions with local community members and investigations of their natural surroundings. They apply their learning to help solve “real” problems, catalyze change, document history, and celebrate local identity.
The Value of Place-based Learning
A growing body of education research shows that place-based learning provides students with a local context and relevance that inspires and motivates them to learn, serve their communities, and help protect their environment. A recent review of studies on the benefits of place-based learning conducted by the Place-based Education Evaluation Collaborative found that participating students often exhibit:
For citations of these studies and summaries of findings, please visit Place-Based Education Evaluation Collaborative.
In addition, communities benefit from closer ties to local schools and greater engagement of young citizens in local issues and service projects. In many cases, students’ enthusiasm for place-based learning projects also helps to engage parents in student learning and school or community activities.
Tips for Getting Started in YOUR Place