Converging Evidence for Nature-Based Learning Outcomes: A Review of Recent Work and Recommendations to Advance Research

Michael Barnes, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

This presentation begins by updating a recent review that demonstrated converging evidence around NBL’s impacts on personal development, environmental stewardship, and academic learning. These impacts include improvements in problem-solving skills, leadership skills, and academic outcomes, with nature-based instruction outperforming traditional instruction, after controlling for potential confounding factors. These outcomes can be understood through potential mechanisms such as improved attention, self-discipline, and calmer and quieter learning contexts; but there are still a variety of holes both topically and methodologically that need to be addressed in order to better understand the benefits of NBL and its mechanisms. This presentation explores the question: What have we learned through the review and more recent evidence regarding NBL, and what are the most effective methodologies and areas for research focus to explore unanswered questions?