The Experiential Learning and Outdoor Education in Taiwan Elementary School

Based on Experiential Learning Theory, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of learning experience, learning attitude and learning satisfaction in outdoor education of elementary school students. The objects of this study were students of two elementary schools within Chiayi City and Chiayi County both visited the Taipei Flower Expo during 2011 in an outdoor educational trip. The questionnaires were sent to 300 students (150 students in each school). After questionnaire survey, there were 229 valid questionnaires the recovery rate was 77.6%. We found that learning experience and learning satisfaction showed significant and moderate positive correlation. Learning attitude and learning satisfaction also showed a significant and moderate positive correlation. The results showed that the learning experience had a significant influence on the learning attitude; learning attitude had a significant influence on learning satisfaction. Therefore, the learning experience affected learning satisfaction through learning attitude. The off-campus teaching and visiting should not just be an entertainment and serve as a group exercise. We suggest teachers apply Experiential Learning Theory, learning by reflection and internalization, to help students to learn meaningful knowledge since it is an effective teaching methods.