Outdoor Learning: from Urban Nature to the Great Outdoors

Description

Concept by Maja Balcerzyk, Dominic Kauffman

Are you and your students tired of staring at the same 4 walls every day? Do you find that the monotony of always teaching and learning in the same classroom affects your motivation and mental health – and that of your students?

This fun and engaging course is designed for educators who want to uplift their teaching
methodology by converting both greater and smaller outdoor spaces into their day-to-day classrooms.

This course will show you how to utilize familiar school settings like backyards and corridors or even just a space by an open window – as extensions of the classroom.

It will also take you outside into the picturesque streets, parks, and natural beauty spots so you can fully experience the pedagogical, social, and mental health benefits of learning outdoors.

The course will use various methodological approaches to make the best out of being outdoors.

You will learn how Project- and Inquiry-based Learning can make science come alive and knowledge stick, by using genuine natural resources.

Experiential Learning activities will awaken your reflective side and give you space for autonomous learning, while through Multisensory Learning, immerse yourself in outdoor environments and better connect with and understand the natural world.

There’s low-tech – and no-tech – too: we will use traditional paper-based activities, as well as digital learning apps.

By the end of the course you will have seen plenty of practical activities you can easily adapt to your context, and hopefully be inspired to put on those walking shoes, sun hat (or raincoat) and get out of the classroom.

Learning outcomes

The course will help participants to:

• Better understand of the pedagogical, social, and mental health benefits of outdoor learning;
• Better integrate outdoor activities into their curriculum.

Tentative schedule

Day 1 – Course introduction

• Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
• Icebreaker activities;
• Presentations of the participants’ schools.

Introduction to Outdoor Learning: theory and research

• Learn about the theoretical underpinnings and research behind Outdoor Learning.

Day 2 – Urban nature

• Visit to a local urban park;
• Experiential Learning to awaken interest and autonomy.

Day 3 – Street is your classroom

• Use of everyday spaces for pedagogical aims;
• Project / Inquiry-based Learning in Action.

Day 4 – The Great Outdoors

• Visit natural beauty spots;
• Multisensory Learning activities for natural science and social history.

Day 5 – Outdoor scavenger hunt

• Online digital tools to create outdoor scavenger hunts.

Day 6 – Course closure and cultural activities

• Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and
  discussion;
• Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
• Excursion and other external cultural activities.