Environment Education Through Experiential Learning: A Case of Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand

Review Of Literature

Classroom instruction may contribute to, but may sometimes not be sufficient to increase environmental knowledge of the children, develop environmental awareness and sense of responsibility (Erdogan, 2009). In this regard, out-of class activities which mainly involve field trips, site visits and so on enable the pupils to communicate with the nature directly and to comprehend the various aspects of the nature (Palmberg & Kuru, 2000). Outdoors is much effective settings for addressing to learn about environmental issues (Martin, 2003). Outdoor education activities also provide in-depth understanding to grasp the relationship between living and non-living things, and also cause and effect relationship within the nature (Erdogan et al, 2010). Furthermore, participation in field trips, outdoor and nature-related activities could enhance participants’ appreciation of nature, conservation behaviors (Bogner, 2002; Sia, Hungerford and Tomera, 1985), knowledge of environmental issues, environmental responsibility and sensitivity, and also action skills (Palmberg & Kuru, 2000). This is because of the fact that the more the people engage in environmental activities and outdoor education programs, the more they feel interconnected with the nature which results in more tendencies to protect the environment. This is in line with the claims of Bogner (1998) indicating that EE programs provided first-hand experiences and participatory interaction. Thus, outdoor education as an informal method of teaching and learning provides the pupils first-hands observation and direct experiences (Lee, 1984). Field studies which are undertaken out-of-class provides the most effective way to study and learn about the environmental issues (Neal, 1994) and increase curiosity. In a model proposed by Dresner and Gill (1994), it is indicated that increased interests and curiosity about nature stimulate to learn about environmental issues, which turn into motivation to take environmentally responsible actions.