Nature education: Outdoor learning of map literacy skills and reflective thinking skill towards problem-solving

• Published in: Thinking skills and creativity 2021-06, Vol.40, p.100815, Article 100815
• Main Authors: Aladağ, Elif, Arıkan, Alaattin, Özenoğlu, Hatice
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Outdoor learning; Problem-solving; Science; Social studies; Spatial thinking
• ISSN: 1871-1871; 1878-0423
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tsc.2021.100815

•The trend towards nature education is growing.•Nature education improved students’ map literacy skills.•Nature education improved students’ reflective thinking skill for problem-solving.•There was a strong correlation between these two skills. This research aimed to identify the effect of nature education on map literacy skills and reflective thinking skill for problem-solving and explore the relationship between map literacy skills and reflective thinking skill for problem-solving. To this end, it used an exploratory sequential mixed methods design. The sample consisted of 36 students who were in the 7th grade. The data were collected using the Map Literacy Scale, the Reflective Thinking Skill Scale for Problem-Solving, and a semi-structured interview form, an activity book and student worksheets designed by the researchers. The quantitative results showed that the nature education provided statistically significantly improved students’ map literacy skills and reflective thinking skill for problem-solving and there was a strong correlation between the two skills. The interviews held with the participating students also support these findings. Based on these findings, it is recommended that teachers devote more time to nature education and curricula promote nature education.