Exploring the Interplay of Three Danish Research Initiatives on Education Outside the Classroom: Findings and Future Directions

Education outside the classroom (EOtC) has gained substantial attention in research, particularly in Scandinavia, with Denmark taking a lead in investigating its potential benefits for students’ health, wellbeing, and learning (Becker et al., 2017). This abstract presents three major Danish research initiatives on EOtC, with a specific focus on Udeskole – the widely practiced form of regular curriculumbased EOtC in Denmark (Barfod et al., 2021).

Early studies of Udeskole in the 2000s primarily consisted of case studies, but a significant shift occurred with the Danish TEACHOUT study, employing a large-scale quasi-experimental research design. TEACHOUT investigated the impact of Udeskole on students aged 9-13 and demonstrated positive outcomes, including improved school motivation, social wellbeing, and physical activity, without compromising academic achievement.

Building upon these findings, three ongoing Danish research initiatives investigate Udeskole comprehensively. The MOVEOUT study aims to confirm TEACHOUT's results through a randomized controlled trial, focusing on students aged 10-16 and investigating the underlying mechanisms of EOtC. The FoodACT study evaluates the potential and effects of the ‘Garden to Bellies’ school gardening program among 10-11-year-old students. The MOVEOUT-SPECIAL study adapts and evaluates Udeskole within the special needs education context.

The presentation discusses the designs, key findings and preliminary results, and interplay of these research initiatives. It emphasizes the need for further confirmation and exploration of the TEACHOUT study conclusions, encompassing various EOtC practices and diverse populations. Understanding how these practices contribute to improved health, wellbeing, and learning outcomes is essential. In conclusion, key findings and preliminary results of the research initiatives on Udeskole are highlighted, outlining the importance of future investigations. By advancing our understanding of Udeskole and promoting evidence-based practices in EOtC, we can enhance health and wellbeing, educational experiences and foster holistic development for all students.