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ERIC Number: ED633384
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 152
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-3794-1213-5
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Elementary Administrators' Perspectives and Experiences of Supporting Students through Nature-Based Learning
DeGoede, Amanda
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, Walden University
Although nature-based learning (NBL) contributes to the development of students, its inclusion in elementary schools is inconsistent. Researchers have established the benefits of nature to learning and child development, yet there is a gap in the literature on elementary administrators' perspectives of and experiences with NBL. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore elementary administrators' perspectives of and experiences with NBL, its support of elementary student development, and its inclusion in elementary schools' curricula and design. The research questions addressed elementary administrators' perspectives of and experiences with NBL, how NBL supports student development, and how NBL is included in curricula and design. Nicholson's loose parts theory and the domains of child development guided this study as the conceptual framework. A basic qualitative design was used to capture the insights of 10 purposefully sampled elementary administrators through semi structured interviews. Emergent themes were identified through open coding, and the findings were developed and checked for trustworthiness through member checking, rich descriptions, and researcher reflexivity. The findings revealed that NBL is supportive of child development and builds experiential learning but is not widely used. This study has implications for positive social change by offering information on structures and strategies to incorporate NBL at the individual, family, organizational, and policy levels. Education stakeholders can use this knowledge to make informed decisions about NBL components, future policy, and planning within and across schools and districts. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A