Μία συγκριτική διερεύνηση των απόψεων μελλοντικών επαγγελματιών νηπιαγωγών στην Ελλάδα και τη Νορβηγία, σχετικά με τη μάθηση και το παιχνίδι στους εξωτερικούς χώρους

Abstract

The current research investigates the Greek and Norwegian prospective early childhood professionals’ views on learning and playing outdoors, and compares the findings. The new trends in outdoor learning created the expectation that educators should engage learning with outdoors and nature, however does the undergraduate studies offers opportunities thus the future educator acquire the particular knowledge and skills that form the basis for quality practice outdoors? The research has a comparative approach using a quantitative individual research questionnaire that was distributed to undergraduate students in Greece and Norway (Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Ioannina, Greece and Department of Early Childhood Education, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø Norway). It is of great value that more factors would enter to the research process and analysis, such as social and cultural differences, educational system and policies regarding outdoor learning and play. For this purpose, this research is extended in countries that are well known for their traditional cultural bonds with nature and outdoor activities, the Norwegian students’ perceptions and practices and compare their views with Greek students’ respective opinions. The findings might have implications for policy and practice and will open new theoretical discussions on outdoor learning and play for both countries.