Beyond the Classroom
 The learning experiences that are encompassed when we use the term ‘Beyond the classroom’ include excursion and incursion and what is also termed communities of practice by Lave & Wenger (1991). These excursions and incursions create a unique opportunity for learning by bringing the outside world and students together.  They can also provide a chance to help students in terms of social and emotional learning through non-threatening experiences in which new perspectives can be revealed and beliefs challenged.  Theorists also believe that when information is presented in fresh ways that is contextually relevant to students they will absorb more information.  Learning will also be enhanced through new experiences and dynamic environments. 
Learning is social in nature and creating opportunities for students to explore the wider social environment in which they live is important. The benefits of learning outside the traditional four walls of the classroom include: building self-confidence, increasing motivation, improved self-esteem and improving social behaviour. 

Strengths and Challenges of the Personal Learning Space
Strengths
Teachers
  • An opportunity to motivate students
  • Learning experience for everyone
  • Pre and post learning tasks become relevant, creating engaged students
  • Opportunity to interact with students outside of the classroom while still structured and educational
Students
  • Makes learning more engaging
  • Makes learning more relevant
  • Nurtures creativity and imagination
  • Students are exposed to new opportunities
  • Opportunities to explore and interact with the environment
  • fun

​Challenges
Teachers
  • Often demand is higher to teach content in other KLA’s
  • Ensuring these excursions and incursion are not a stand alone event
  • choosing appropriate excursion/incursion experiences
  • Limited funding for opportunities to teach outside the classroom
  • Additional legal, safety and health issues/requirements for staff to consider
 
Students
  • Cost
  • Last minute cancellation due to wet weather
  • Redundant worksheets
(Johnson ,2009), (Lorenz, 2009) & (Bentley, 2012).

Approaches, Strategies and Resources

Pre and Post Activities
In order for learning beyond the classroom to be as beneficial as possible, it is important that incursions and excursions be both preceded and followed up with other learning activities within the school.  These additional activities are important to extend and cement learning experiences.  

Pre and post activity ideas
Many venues such as Sydney Olympic park, Art Gallery NSW and powerhouse museum provide Teacher kits with pre-and-post excursion activities along with checklists and things to consider when planning your trip.  Check out the below. 

Need help finding an excursion/incursion experience?