The Effect of Farm-Animal-Assisted Education on Memory Retention in Elementary School Children: An Exploratory Study

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60460709%3A41110%2F24%3A100225" target="_blank" >RIV/60460709:41110/24:100225 - isvavai.cz</a>

Alternative codes found

RIV/60460709:41210/24:100225

Result on the web

<a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2024.2389644" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2024.2389644</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2024.2389644" target="_blank" >10.1080/08927936.2024.2389644</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

The Effect of Farm-Animal-Assisted Education on Memory Retention in Elementary School Children: An Exploratory Study

Original language description

Animal-assisted education (AAE) can provide an exciting and innovative alternative to conventional teaching methods. Numerous studies have been published on the influence of the participation of living animals (primarily dogs) in the educational process on students’ emotions. However, the impact of on-farm teaching on children’s academic knowledge has not received much attention. This study aimed to evaluate whether outdoor learning in the presence of farm animals during animal-oriented lessons impacts knowledge performance and memory retention. The experimental group (n = 71) attended a class at an eco-center farm and directly interacted with farm animals. In contrast, the control group (n = 78) received identical content in a classroom using conventional teaching aids. Knowledge in both groups was compared quantitatively with paper-and-pencil tests in three consecutive examinations: pre-, post-, and follow-up (28 days later). The intergroup results of the pre- and post-examinations showed no difference. However, a significant difference in the intergroup knowledge scores was observed at the one-month follow-up test. The pupils in the experimental group maintained significantly broader knowledge over time than their peers in the control group. These results suggest that implementing AAE into the education process might not affect pupils’ immediate knowledge performance, but it could positively impact memory retention. As scientific research on using farm animals in education is scarce, additional research is needed.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

40301 - Veterinary science

Project

—

Continuities

S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach

Publication year

2024

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

ANTHROZOOS

ISSN

0892-7936

e-ISSN

1753-0377

Volume of the periodical

AUG 2024

Issue of the periodical within the volume

2024-01-01

Country of publishing house

CZ - CZECH REPUBLIC

Number of pages

14

Pages from-to

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UT code for WoS article

001296731300001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85201833456