El medio natural como recurso educativo para favorecer el aprendizaje: importancia en la Formación Docente.

Importancia en la Formación Docente

Abstract

Early childhood education is crucial for the comprehensive development of children, addressing cognitive, emotional, social, and physical aspects. Despite the long-term benefits associated with exposure to natural environments during childhood, their incorporation into education is limited due to a lack of awareness of their potential. This study examines how an educational intervention modifies the perceptions and emotions of teachers in training towards activities in a natural environment. A mixed-methods approach integrating quantitative and qualitative analyses was employed. The results show a significant change in the perceptions and emotions of teachers in training, highlighting an increased appreciation of natural environments for various areas of teaching (Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Visual Arts). The intervention led to a significant increase in positive emotions and a decrease in negative ones. The importance of pre-intervention boredom is emphasized as a key factor in fostering student motivation and its subsequent role in control and utility. The study thus underscores the need to address both positive and negative emotions in the classroom to adjust teaching strategies and promote optimal learning and emotional well-being for students. This active approach, carried out in the study, enhances the educational experience, and suggests considering the natural environment as an educational resource in the training of teachers at early stages, creating a variety of opportunities for teaching and learning and thus presenting multidisciplinary possibilities.