In recent years, interest in outdoor education has steadily increased. Still, the field of research and education faces many challenges, and we are interested in the following:
- Developments in information and communication technology are changing society in various ways and contribute to an increase in sedentary behaviour and unhealth among children and young people. How can outdoor education be used to stimulate children and young people to increase physical activity in outdoor environments?
- Research shows that teaching in outdoor learning environments stimulates concentration and learning. How can outdoor education be integrated into the school's work to stimulate different ways of learning and increase the ability to concentrate?
- Stress is an increasing problem, in school as well as working life. Research shows that spending time and activities in outdoor environments can lower stress levels and thereby contribute to better health. In what way can outdoor recreation and green learning environments be used for preventing stress?
- Subject didactic research studies how combinations of theory and practice in different learning environments indoors and outdoors can contribute to better learning and a holistic understanding of complex phenomena. How can outdoor education support, for example, teaching and learning for sustainable development?
- The importance of stimulating schoolyards is of interest in research. How can outdoor environments be designed so that they stimulate physical movement and thus better health and conditions for learning in children and young people?
The Forum for Outdoor Education is a resource for the various faculties at Linköping University, and several departments offer courses in outdoor education and didactics. Education at advanced level is given at: Outdoor and Sustainability Education International masters' programme (60 or 120 credits/ECTS). Doctoral education in outdoor education and outdoor education is offered within the framework of two doctoral programmes: Science and Technology Education and more generally in Education at Linköping University.
