Leerroutes

Leerroutes, literally “learning routes” in Dutch, describe structured itineraries designed to support education outside the classroom. A leerroute guides participants along a path—often through a city district, a museum quarter, a nature reserve, or an historic site—while integrating subject-focused activities, questions, and prompts. The route is typically accompanied by a map and a set of stops or stations where learners perform tasks, observe phenomena, or collect evidence. Materials may include worksheets, signs, digital guides, or QR codes linking to short explanations or multimedia.

Leerroutes are used in diverse settings. Schools employ them to complement curricula with fieldwork and experiential learning. Museums and cultural heritage sites offer self-guided tours that frame exhibits within learning goals. Nature reserves and environmental education programs use leerroutes to teach about ecosystems, biodiversity, and sustainability. Urban leerroutes may illuminate local history, architecture, or urban planning, while tourism operators may publish them as educational experiences for families or student groups.

Implementation considerations include route length and pacing appropriate to the learners’ age, safety and supervision requirements, accessibility for people with disabilities, language options, and alignment with learning objectives. Evaluation often involves predefined tasks, checklists, or short assessments to gauge understanding.

Etymology: derived from Dutch leer (to learn) and route (route). The term is most common in Dutch-speaking contexts and is used to denote any educative, guided walking or cycling route designed to foster inquiry and reflection.