I've taken my research methods class outside before with moderate success.
I think the main reason it worked was that I already had planned small
group discussions of some case studies on ethics. Even though the groups
were outside, I made sure they all stayed in fairly close proximity so I
could walk between them to check on progress. Part of me feels it worked
better than if we had stayed in the classroom since there was less carry
over from one group to another (ie, one group couldn't just listen in on
another groups comments, each group had to generate their own
ideas/thoughts on the case studies). Then we came back together as a large
group under a nearby tree for the last few minutes for discussion. I might
try it again, but I don't think I would try lecturing to the whole class
outside, because as others have stated, it can be a little too distracting.
But, the small group discussions did seem to work well in that environment.
- Marc
G. Marc Turner, MEd
Lecturer & Head of Computer Operations
Department of Psychology
Southwest Texas State University
San Marcos, TX 78666
phone: (512)245-2526
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] or ...
