This study has been conducted in the context of the master program in Outdoor Environmental Education and Outdoor Life, of Linköping University. It aspires to investigate a specific part of outdoor environments: the schoolyards. Particularly, the aim of the study is to investigate how the use of the school grounds as an educational resource is influenced by their environments -rural or urban. The research compares the school communities’ (principals’, teachers’ and students’) perceptions about the use of their school grounds during the educational process. The research sample consists of 10 Swedish elementary schools, from which the five are in rural and five are in urban environments. The participants are in total 10 principals, 51 teachers and 295 students. Alongside, an observation recorded in a list and photographs enhance the comparison between the rural and urban schools’ infrastructures. From the 1268 photos taken, a selection is included in the study and constitutes the observation part. The study negotiates four controversial issues about school grounds’ capacities: space or place; good or bad; rural or urban; grounds of a school or grounds of a curriculum. The results, after all, reject the contradictions and the sections become respectively: a place for all seasons; neither good nor bad, just unique! ; Ideality stands for ideas; grounds for cooperation. It also becomes visible that even though the analysis of the responses confirms that the urban teachers hold the stereotypical idea that there are differences between rural and urban environments; the infrastructures of both environments do not appear different. However, the teachers’ different opinions and beliefs have a significant impact on the students’ responses. Specifically, significant differences are reported by students which align with the teachers’ differences. The rural and urban principals do not report significant differences, and in the great majority their opinions also align with their teachers’ opinions. Finally, a model which is unfolded through this study has central role, namely the schoolyard circle. This model aims to facilitate a process that I introduce as schoolisization, in which school grounds are used to extend the stereotypical learning environment by adapting the curriculum to a school’s needs. Consequently, the schoolyards’ transformation from a space to our place can be finally proved an outdoor education approach that “bridges contradictions” and promises better educational results.

Duas escolas públicas de ensino fundamental, localizadas na zona rural das cidades de Camaquã e Sertão Santana-RS, tiveram seus pátios modificados através de um método de design participativo, constituindo os Estudos de Caso avaliados nesta dissertação. Objetivo: estudar as mudanças ocorridas no comportamento de crianças, usuárias desses espaços abertos, através de sua percepção e a de professores, diretores e funcionários. Tal avaliação foi feita através da identificação de alterações no comportamento das crianças durante o período do recreio e dentro de sala-de-aula, bem como melhorias no relacionamento entre os membros da comunidade escolar. Método: um questionário contendo 13 perguntas abertas foi confeccionado. As entrevistas foram realizadas pessoalmente em uma sala separada, gravadas e posteriormente transcritas. Para cada entrevista realizada, foram identificadas palavras-chave, as quais foram agrupadas de acordo com a similaridade de significado, formando categorias de respostas. Para a tabulação dos dados, gráficos foram confeccionados e posteriormente analisados através do Método de Estatística Descritiva. Resultados: a modificação do pátio tendo a comunidade escolar como participante ativa de todo o processo, trouxe maior qualidade de vida para seus usuários, principalmente para os alunos, os quais demonstraram satisfação com as melhorias implantadas no pátio escolar, incluindo locais para descanso, lazer e convívio social. O antigo pátio, sujo, mal-cuidado, carente da presença de vegetação e sem graça, deu lugar a um ambiente agradável e atraente, onde as crianças podem brincar mais, explorar, sentar e conversar, desenvolvendo suas habilidades, vencendo desafios e construindo a sua identidade pessoal. As crianças se sentem valorizadas pela escola e orgulhosas pelo trabalho que realizaram, se comprometendo profundamente com o trabalho de conservação. Conclusão: a reorganização do pátio proporcionou a ampliação do plantel de jogos e brincadeiras disponíveis para os alunos. Não existe mais disputa por brinquedos e por espaço, nem ociosidade entre eles. Existe sim, mais diversão, cooperação, interação, amizade e respeito, inclusive entre os diferentes sexos e faixas etárias. Observou-se menos correria, agitação e conflito entre as crianças. Desta forma, o ato de ir à escola e o de aprender deixaram de ser uma estafante obrigação e se tornaram um prazer. / Two public primary schools, located in the agricultural zone of the cities of Camaquã and Sertão Santana-RS, had theirs schoolyards modified through a design with user participation method, constituting the evaluated Case Study in this dissertation. Objective: to study the occurred changes in the quality of live of children, users of these opened spaces, through theirs perception, and the perception of teachers, principals and employees. Such evaluation was made through the identification of alterations in the children’s behavior during the playtime and inside classroom, as well as improvements in the relationship between school community members. Method: a questionnaire containing 13 open questions was elaborated. The interviews were carried out personally in a private room, recorded and transcribed. For each interview, were identified key-words being grouped according to similar meanings, organizing answers categories. Graphics were made with the data and after analyzed through Descriptive Statistic Method. Results: the schoolyard modification with active participation of school community during all process, brought better quality of life to its users, mainly to students, that showed satisfaction in relation to improvements introduced into schoolyard, including places for rent, leisure and social relations. The Schoolyard, dirty, ill-cared, with little vegetation, and graceless, was replaced for a pleasant and attractive environment, where children can play more, explore, seat and talk, developing their abilities, winning challenges and constructing their personal identity. Children feel precious by school and proud for work that they made, and deeply compromise themselves with maintaining work. Conclusion: the schoolyard reorganization offered amplification of the opportunities of games and plays available for students. There is no more dispute for toys and for space, neither laziness between them. There is more fun, co-operation, interaction, friendship and respect, including between different sexes and ages. We observed less running, excitement and conflict between children. Thus, the act to go to school and to learn left to be a fatiguing obligation and became a pleasure.

Duas escolas públicas de ensino fundamental, localizadas na zona rural das cidades de Camaquã e Sertão Santana-RS, tiveram seus pátios modificados através de um método de design participativo, constituindo os Estudos de Caso avaliados nesta dissertação. Objetivo: estudar as mudanças ocorridas no comportamento de crianças, usuárias desses espaços abertos, através de sua percepção e a de professores, diretores e funcionários. Tal avaliação foi feita através da identificação de alterações no comportamento das crianças durante o período do recreio e dentro de sala-de-aula, bem como melhorias no relacionamento entre os membros da comunidade escolar. Método: um questionário contendo 13 perguntas abertas foi confeccionado. As entrevistas foram realizadas pessoalmente em uma sala separada, gravadas e posteriormente transcritas. Para cada entrevista realizada, foram identificadas palavras-chave, as quais foram agrupadas de acordo com a similaridade de significado, formando categorias de respostas. Para a tabulação dos dados, gráficos foram confeccionados e posteriormente analisados através do Método de Estatística Descritiva. Resultados: a modificação do pátio tendo a comunidade escolar como participante ativa de todo o processo, trouxe maior qualidade de vida para seus usuários, principalmente para os alunos, os quais demonstraram satisfação com as melhorias implantadas no pátio escolar, incluindo locais para descanso, lazer e convívio social. O antigo pátio, sujo, mal-cuidado, carente da presença de vegetação e sem graça, deu lugar a um ambiente agradável e atraente, onde as crianças podem brincar mais, explorar, sentar e conversar, desenvolvendo suas habilidades, vencendo desafios e construindo a sua identidade pessoal. As crianças se sentem valorizadas pela escola e orgulhosas pelo trabalho que realizaram, se comprometendo profundamente com o trabalho de conservação. Conclusão: a reorganização do pátio proporcionou a ampliação do plantel de jogos e brincadeiras disponíveis para os alunos. Não existe mais disputa por brinquedos e por espaço, nem ociosidade entre eles. Existe sim, mais diversão, cooperação, interação, amizade e respeito, inclusive entre os diferentes sexos e faixas etárias. Observou-se menos correria, agitação e conflito entre as crianças. Desta forma, o ato de ir à escola e o de aprender deixaram de ser uma estafante obrigação e se tornaram um prazer. / Two public primary schools, located in the agricultural zone of the cities of Camaquã and Sertão Santana-RS, had theirs schoolyards modified through a design with user participation method, constituting the evaluated Case Study in this dissertation. Objective: to study the occurred changes in the quality of live of children, users of these opened spaces, through theirs perception, and the perception of teachers, principals and employees. Such evaluation was made through the identification of alterations in the children’s behavior during the playtime and inside classroom, as well as improvements in the relationship between school community members. Method: a questionnaire containing 13 open questions was elaborated. The interviews were carried out personally in a private room, recorded and transcribed. For each interview, were identified key-words being grouped according to similar meanings, organizing answers categories. Graphics were made with the data and after analyzed through Descriptive Statistic Method. Results: the schoolyard modification with active participation of school community during all process, brought better quality of life to its users, mainly to students, that showed satisfaction in relation to improvements introduced into schoolyard, including places for rent, leisure and social relations. The Schoolyard, dirty, ill-cared, with little vegetation, and graceless, was replaced for a pleasant and attractive environment, where children can play more, explore, seat and talk, developing their abilities, winning challenges and constructing their personal identity. Children feel precious by school and proud for work that they made, and deeply compromise themselves with maintaining work. Conclusion: the schoolyard reorganization offered amplification of the opportunities of games and plays available for students. There is no more dispute for toys and for space, neither laziness between them. There is more fun, co-operation, interaction, friendship and respect, including between different sexes and ages. We observed less running, excitement and conflict between children. Thus, the act to go to school and to learn left to be a fatiguing obligation and became a pleasure.

Duas escolas públicas de ensino fundamental, localizadas na zona rural das cidades de Camaquã e Sertão Santana-RS, tiveram seus pátios modificados através de um método de design participativo, constituindo os Estudos de Caso avaliados nesta dissertação. Objetivo: estudar as mudanças ocorridas no comportamento de crianças, usuárias desses espaços abertos, através de sua percepção e a de professores, diretores e funcionários. Tal avaliação foi feita através da identificação de alterações no comportamento das crianças durante o período do recreio e dentro de sala-de-aula, bem como melhorias no relacionamento entre os membros da comunidade escolar. Método: um questionário contendo 13 perguntas abertas foi confeccionado. As entrevistas foram realizadas pessoalmente em uma sala separada, gravadas e posteriormente transcritas. Para cada entrevista realizada, foram identificadas palavras-chave, as quais foram agrupadas de acordo com a similaridade de significado, formando categorias de respostas. Para a tabulação dos dados, gráficos foram confeccionados e posteriormente analisados através do Método de Estatística Descritiva. Resultados: a modificação do pátio tendo a comunidade escolar como participante ativa de todo o processo, trouxe maior qualidade de vida para seus usuários, principalmente para os alunos, os quais demonstraram satisfação com as melhorias implantadas no pátio escolar, incluindo locais para descanso, lazer e convívio social. O antigo pátio, sujo, mal-cuidado, carente da presença de vegetação e sem graça, deu lugar a um ambiente agradável e atraente, onde as crianças podem brincar mais, explorar, sentar e conversar, desenvolvendo suas habilidades, vencendo desafios e construindo a sua identidade pessoal. As crianças se sentem valorizadas pela escola e orgulhosas pelo trabalho que realizaram, se comprometendo profundamente com o trabalho de conservação. Conclusão: a reorganização do pátio proporcionou a ampliação do plantel de jogos e brincadeiras disponíveis para os alunos. Não existe mais disputa por brinquedos e por espaço, nem ociosidade entre eles. Existe sim, mais diversão, cooperação, interação, amizade e respeito, inclusive entre os diferentes sexos e faixas etárias. Observou-se menos correria, agitação e conflito entre as crianças. Desta forma, o ato de ir à escola e o de aprender deixaram de ser uma estafante obrigação e se tornaram um prazer. / Two public primary schools, located in the agricultural zone of the cities of Camaquã and Sertão Santana-RS, had theirs schoolyards modified through a design with user participation method, constituting the evaluated Case Study in this dissertation. Objective: to study the occurred changes in the quality of live of children, users of these opened spaces, through theirs perception, and the perception of teachers, principals and employees. Such evaluation was made through the identification of alterations in the children’s behavior during the playtime and inside classroom, as well as improvements in the relationship between school community members. Method: a questionnaire containing 13 open questions was elaborated. The interviews were carried out personally in a private room, recorded and transcribed. For each interview, were identified key-words being grouped according to similar meanings, organizing answers categories. Graphics were made with the data and after analyzed through Descriptive Statistic Method. Results: the schoolyard modification with active participation of school community during all process, brought better quality of life to its users, mainly to students, that showed satisfaction in relation to improvements introduced into schoolyard, including places for rent, leisure and social relations. The Schoolyard, dirty, ill-cared, with little vegetation, and graceless, was replaced for a pleasant and attractive environment, where children can play more, explore, seat and talk, developing their abilities, winning challenges and constructing their personal identity. Children feel precious by school and proud for work that they made, and deeply compromise themselves with maintaining work. Conclusion: the schoolyard reorganization offered amplification of the opportunities of games and plays available for students. There is no more dispute for toys and for space, neither laziness between them. There is more fun, co-operation, interaction, friendship and respect, including between different sexes and ages. We observed less running, excitement and conflict between children. Thus, the act to go to school and to learn left to be a fatiguing obligation and became a pleasure.

This diploma thesis searches opportunities for foundations and inovations of schoolyards, which improve their education potencial. It draws on arguments for achieving the goals of primary education at schoolyards. Presented options are kategorized to three groupes by their primary function: to learn, to play, to work. This research deals with current stage of education potencial of schoolyards at chosen ordinary schools in Rakovník, Louny and Kladno districts. It focuses on schoolyards area and main ways of improving the education potencial of schoolyards. The second part of research finds answers on the same questions at schools which their schoolyards for outdoor learning some years actively construct.

I den täta staden är det angeläget att använda marken på ett effektivt sätt för att möta framtidens behov och förutsättningar. I denna studie undersöks hur underutnyttjade ytor i form av urbana skolgårdar kan nyttjas i större utsträckning av fler än dem inom ramen för skolans verksamhet. Studien undersöker hur detta samnyttjande beskrivs, hur det kan utvecklas liksom kopplas till förtätningsidealet. Forskningsfrågan är relativt outforskad för svenska förhållanden. Av internationell forskning framkommer att samnyttjande kan generera positiva effekter för samhället. Forskningsfrågan utforskas i en kvalitativ induktiv intervjustudie med Linköpings stad som studieområde. Resultaten visar att urbana skolgårdar samnyttjas informellt och att samnyttjande kan kopplas till platsens offentlighet. Utvecklingsmöjligheter finns, men förutsätter flexibilitet, anpassning och nytänk. Slutsatser som dras är att samnyttjande kan generera positiva effekter, men att skolans verksamhet villkorar samnyttjandet vilket gör det utmanande att använda urbana skolgårdar som offentliga rum. / In the densely populated city, it’s crucial to use the space in an effective manner to meet future needs and conditions. This paper explores how underutilized urbans school yards could be leveraged beyond explicit school related activities for use by parties external to the school population. This paper explores how this sharing model is described, how it can be developed and connected to densification. This research topic is largely unexplored as it relates to Swedish circumstances. Existing published international studies have shown that a sharing model can result in positive societal outcomes. The thesis is researched by conducting a qualitative, inductive interview study focusing on the city of Linköping. The results of the study shows that urban school yards and grounds are informally utilized outside schools sanctioned use, and the use of said grounds can be linked to the property’s public perception. Opportunities to drive further public use of school grounds requires flexibility, facilitation of a shift in perception and mindset towards these resources. In summary, leveraging the concept of sharing resources can result in positive outcomes, but the terms of use by school administration can create a challenge in allowing it’s grounds for public use and access.