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“Interaction with nature, in particular, can help to maintain or restore cognitive function such as direct attention, problem solving, focus and concentration, impulse inhibition, and memory, which can become depleted from fatigue or with overuse (Hartig, et al., 2014; Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989).”

• I, personally, think a nap would be more effective in restoring my “cognitive function” than taking a frolic through the flowers.

“Therefore, this paper will define nature or natural environment as the… “physical features and processes of nonhuman origin that people ordinarily can perceive, including the “living nature” of flora and fauna, together with still and running water, qualities of air and weather, and the landscapes that comprise these and show the influences of geological processes” (Hartig, et al., 2014, p. 21.2).”

• I am glad to see that outer space (though not expressly listed) likely counts as what this article defines as “nature.” I get that a lot of people probably don’t think of staring into the neverending abyss of the night sky as especially comforting or restoring, but space is basically what gets me out of bed in the morning, so it’s nice that there’s a constant reminder of what I think really matters right above my head all the time.

“Public areas and outdoor learning environments, including nature trails and ecological study areas, lend more opportunities for community interaction and social encounters that foster a sense of belonging, whereas quiet areas provide a place for students to refresh themselves, have a temporary escape, or quiet reflection, affording an enriched and enjoyable campus life (Kenney, et al., 2005).”

• I don’t mean to be passive aggressive, but this whole article sort of sounds like a more convincing version of something I would’ve written back in my treehugging pre-teen days.

“Students spend most of their tightly structured learning time indoors amidst traditional instructional classrooms (where students’ direct attention is most required) that are primarily structured for the visual mode of learning (e.g., whiteboards on designated walls, seating that faces the instructor).”

• “Tightly structured” seems like a pretty strong term for what we have here at GSU. I mean, you need a set time for classes, or no one would show up (at least, I wouldn’t), but outside of that, classes are in all different buildings and there’s occassionally time inbetween for other things. Nothing about my schedule strikes me as particularly rigid.