Place-Based Approach
A place-based approach acknowledges that humans' perception of the environment around them cannot only be understood as a set of natural elements, but instead it must take into account historical, cultural, political, economic, spiritual, and emotional aspects of the place, as well. This type of focus on the environment often takes into account human constructions and how human creativity affects the possibilities for nature, which means that architecture often plays a role within this approach.
According to Dehan and Oberlinkels (1984), understanding one's environment allows for better relations with it, which is often the focus of place-based learning theorists such as, David Sobel. Sobel argues that in order for children to understand responsibility for the environment, they must first feel a sense of belonging towards it.
Link to video entitled Place-Based Learning: Using Your Location as a Classroom
Examples
1. Naturalized playgrounds are popping up at daycare centres and municipal parks across Canada with a focus on trying to reacquaint children with nature. Check out this article in The Globe and Mail.2. In Japan, where space is at a premium, architect Takaharu Tezuka designed an imaginative and creative space to incorporate elements of outdoor education within an area that has been highly developed by humans. This design allows children to explore their space and interact with it and each other.
