An Ethnographic Case Study on Interaction between a Teacher and Learners in Nature Experience Activity

자연체험활동에서 교사-학습자간의 상호작용에 관한 문화기술적 사례 연구

This study aimed to discern the educational meaning of nature experience activity in a nonformal educational program in Korea, focusing on the interaction between a teacher and learners. To achieve this objective, an ethnographic research method was employed using an environmental educational program for children in a nonformal setting. The results of study are as followings. Firstly, the teacher's belief-"young ecologist" shaped its own characteristics of the program. Secondly, the children had a understanding that they learn something about nature(e.g. learning by seeing, dlscovering, recollecting, and awakening). The analysis of teachers' ideas and learners' attitude toward nature experience shows that there exists a gap between the teachers' expectations and the actual ecological changes in the learners' ideas. However, the educational meaning of nature experience can be understood by the unique type of interaction between a teacher and learners. In conclusion, on the basis of this study, it is suggested that educators should be aware of the fact that nature experience can conttribute significantly to the education of children not just from the encounter with nature but also philosophically with regard to our connectedness with nature. Bringing nature into educational contexts can help children to take part in thoughtful perspectives of learning and to devise their own appropriate nature experience.