Outdoor Education for Design Thinking: An Experiential Learning Approach in Built Environment Education

Outdoor education has played an important strategy in the education of the built environment to promote the experiential learning. However, limited research exists on the role of outdoor activities in helping students understand the built environment and design thinking. This study examines the use of a treasure hunt as an outdoor teaching strategy to improve students’ design thinking in the built environment. It was an event on campus. The students worked in groups on group assignments where they had to observe and analyze elements of the environment, landscape and architecture. A qualitative case study design was employed. Data for this research were collected via participant observation and student feedback and analyzed thematically. The findings showed that the outdoor learning activity improved students’ spatial awareness, contextual understanding, teamwork and reflective thinking. The campus tour helped students better connect what they learn in the classroom to the real world, students said. It has also led to more critical observation, analysis and interpretation of design elements. Through working together on learning activities, they enhanced their communication and problem solving skills. The findings of the study indicate the use of structured outdoor learning activities to promote the development of design thinking through experiential learning opportunities beyond the classroom. Through direct interaction with the real environment, students were able to develop a better understanding of the theory and practice relationship and to acquire critical skills for the fields of the built environment. The findings add to the growing literature on experiential learning in higher education, and they provide useful guidance to instructors on the incorporation of outdoor learning in built environment programs to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.

outdoor education, outdoor learning activities, built environment

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