Educational potential of educational trails in terms of their using in the pedagogical process (Outdoor Learning)

Abstract

Educational trails are marked in landscape by tourist or excursion routes of varying lengths, content focus and technical realization. The aim of the study was to create the method of evaluating the usability of educational trails in the pedagogical process in outdoor teaching. In the article, methodological procedures are presented for the creation and evaluation of educational trails intended also for pedagogical purposes. In the presented method educational potential of educational trails (EPET) is an expression of the information quality provided on phenomena and objects on the educational trail and its surroundings through information panels. The qualitative analysis according to the set of parameters points to the quality and quantity of information provided in the information panels of the educational trail according to the criteria of visual quality and interpretative quality. The educational potential of educational trails was expressed as a percentage by the proposed formula. The methodology is presented on the example of the nature trail around the Žitavský luh Nature Reserve, which represents large complex of alluvial meadow and marsh communities. The educational potential of the Žitavský luh educational trail reached 77 %, which means a good educational value in the overall assessment and good usability for outdoor teaching.