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Background: A recent dialogue in the field of play, learn, and teach outdoors (referred to as "PLaTO" hereafter) demonstrated the need for developing harmonized and consensus-based terminology, taxonomy, and ontology for PLaTO. This is important as the field evolves and diversifies in its approaches, contents, and contexts over time and in different countries, cultures, and settings. Within this paper, we report the systematic and iterative processes undertaken to achieve this objective, which has built on the creation of the global PLaTO-Network (PLaTO-Net)., Methods: This project comprised of four major methodological phases. First, a systematic scoping review was conducted to identify common terms and definitions used pertaining to PLaTO. Second, based on the results of the scoping review, a draft set of key terms, taxonomy, and ontology were developed, and shared with PLaTO members, who provided feedback via four rounds of consultation. Third, PLaTO terminology, taxonomy, and ontology were then finalized based on the feedback received from 50 international PLaTO member participants who responded to ≥ 3 rounds of the consultation survey and dialogue. Finally, efforts to share and disseminate project outcomes were made through different online platforms., Results: This paper presents the final definitions and taxonomy of 31 PLaTO terms along with the PLaTO-Net ontology model. The model incorporates other relevant concepts in recognition that all the aspects of the model are interrelated and interconnected. The final terminology, taxonomy, and ontology are intended to be applicable to, and relevant for, all people encompassing various identities (e.g., age, gender, culture, ethnicity, ability)., Conclusions: This project contributes to advancing PLaTO-based research and facilitating intersectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration, with the long-term goal of fostering and strengthening PLaTO's synergistic linkages with healthy living, environmental stewardship, climate action, and planetary health agendas. Notably, PLaTO terminology, taxonomy and ontology will continue to evolve, and PLaTO-Net is committed to advancing and periodically updating harmonized knowledge and understanding in the vast and interrelated areas of PLaTO., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Science lessons in nature are appealing and potentially supportive of children's learning, but little is known about how and for whom they are effective. A within-subjects, experimental, mixed methods design was employed with 92 4th-graders to determine if, why and for whom science learning is better through outdoor, nature-based instruction (NBI) compared to indoor, classroom-based instruction (CBI). Moderating variables, including student socioeconomic status, gender, English Learner status and connectedness to nature and mechanistic variables of perceived stress, engagement in learning, attention, and impulsivity were evaluated. Though the physical conditions for NBI were less optimal, NBI supported science learning as well as CBI, and for a broader range of students. With CBI, child demographics had a significant impact on science scores. In contrast, with NBI, all students performed similarly, suggesting NBI is a supportive strategy for a broad range of students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "Play, Learn, and Teach Outdoors--Network (PLaTO-Net): Terminology, taxonomy, and ontology" that was published in the January 3, 2023 online issue is presented.