Place-Based Education and Why and How Place Matters

Place-based education
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Institution
Place-based education
Place-based education and why and how place matters
Place-based education is defined as the process of utilizing the local community and the environment as the first point to teach concepts in subjects such as the language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and other subjects contained in the curriculum (Sobel, 2004).The idea of place has several meanings that vary from the psychological state, physical location, and social status. In this respect, the term “place” does not only refer to a geographic location; but rather, it also denotes to the opportunities for seclusion and silence, opportunities for exploring and opportunities to effect change. Place in children’s lives matter for various reasons; first, it emphasizes on the hands-on, real-world, learning experiences that increase the academic performance of children, enhances the attachment of students to the society, enables the learners to appreciate the natural world, and improves the commitment as active contributors to the society. Second, Sobel (2004) posts that the community vitality and the quality of the environment improves when the community organizations, local citizens, and the environmental resources around the school are actively engaged through place-based education. Third, place-based learning energizes teachers by placing them in an environment where they work hard to achieve the intended results; in this respect, they become innovative and offer alternatives to various situations that require their attention (Place-based Education Evaluation Collaborative, 2010). Fourth, “place” also transforms the culture of the school; for instance, the environment around the school is changed into outdoor extensions, and students have the opportunity to ask critical questions. Again, the learners can see themselves as observers and young scientists; “place” also improves the participation of the parents in the learning process of their children. Fifth, place connects the learners to the community by ensuring that the community, students, and parents derive benefits that are economical, socially and environmentally enriching. For instance, the students have the opportunity to interact with the government offices, non-profit organizations, and higher educational institutions to enhance the collaboration between the people, the environmental health, and well-being. Lastly, place matters because it makes the learners become the stewards of the environment. For instance, some of the students may decide to advance on what they do outside the classroom by forming the after-class groups that are aimed at conserving the environment.
Examples that demonstrate the “best place” for learning in connection to the classroom (indoor and outdoor), the community, technology and the land
A classroom is a place where teachers, librarians together with the learning or teaching specialists accomplish the requirements of the curriculum. Classroom learning is confined to the demands of the syllabus and teachers work hard to ensure that they comply with each and ev...