Place-Based Learning

What is place-based education?

Place-based education (PBE) is a practice and philosophy that focuses on cultivating students’ sense of place through immersion in local landscapes, cultures, and heritage. It “is a practice and philosophy that relies on place – lands and waters, people and organizations, history, and culture – as a starting point for teaching and learning.” PBE scholars Woodhouse and Knapp articulate five qualities that make place-based education distinctive:

1. It is rooted in the particular characteristics of a place (i.e., geography, ecology, sociology, politics, and other dynamics). 

2. It is naturally multidisciplinary.

3. It is experiential. There is a focus on action, sustainability, and service. 

4. It is based on the idea that education is broader than an economic endeavor. In other words, education should be more than a “learn to earn” practice.

5. It connects self with place and community. 

The term “place-based education” was coined in the 1990s, although educators have promoted the practice for over a century and the tenets can be traced to many forms of Indigenous thought. The contemporary movement for place-based education stems from an interest in providing children with active, outdoor learning while fostering a connection with their local community.

Why place-based education?

There is an extensive body of research on PBE and the benefits of this approach. Place-based learning has been shown to:

• provide students with the knowledge and experiences needed to actively participate in the democratic process

• increase student learning and achievement

• improve environmental, social, and economic vitality

• foster a sense of belonging

• narrow equity gaps

Athens Forest Kindergarten and PBE

At Athens Forest Kindergarten, we integrate the tenets of place-based education with other research-supported approaches to early childhood education. By bringing together components of PBE with other developmentally appropriate practices for young children, we offer a unique educational approach for children in Athens. 

Want to learn more?

If you would like to learn more about place-based education, check out these resources: 

• Place-Based Learning: Using Your Location as a Classroom 

• Place-Based Learning and Outdoor Experiences | Center for Transformative Teaching

• The Benefits of Place-based Education

• What is place-based learning in early education? | Famly

References

Johnson, M. D., Sprowles, A. E., Goldenberg, K. R., Margell, S. T., & Castellino, L. (2020). Effect of a place-based learning community on belonging, persistence, and equity gaps for first-year STEM students. Innovative Higher Education, 45, 509-531.

Woodhouse, J. L., & Knapp, C. E. (2000). Place-based curriculum and instruction: Outdoor and environmental education approaches. Clearinghouse on Rural Education and Small Schools, Appalachia Educational Laboratory. 

Place-Based Education Evaluation Collaborative. (2010). The benefits of place-based education: A report from the place-based education evaluation collaborative (second edition). 

https://www.nps.gov/civic/resources/peec2010_web.pdf