73899 - Outdoor Education

Learning outcomes

  Despite the evidence supporting Outdoor Education, many schools are not well placed to support this form of learning. This course is offered as an initial step towards assisting teachers to incorporate outdoor learning into their teaching and curriculum.  In particular, the course purpose is to provide strategies for future Generalist Physical Education (GPE) teachers, to run simple programs in both Outdoor Learning and Adventure Education. 

Course contents

By the end of the course students should:

• understand the broad concepts underpinning outdoor education
• be aware of the educational benefits of outdoor learning;
• have gained experience and understanding of ways in which outdoor learning can be used for various educational purposes;
• be able to understand and apply principles of experiential learning to teaching young people in outdoor (and indoor) contexts;
• be aware of safety issues pertinent to teaching and learning in outdoor settings;
• understand group management strategies for working safely with young people in the outdoors;
• have developed a critical awareness of educational issues relating to outdoor learning and its cross-curricular applications.

Readings/Bibliography

Simon Beames, Outdoor Journeys,  Routledge, London 2012.

Teaching methods

A variety of teaching and learning approaches will be used, including lectures, discussion seminars, workshop tasks, outdoor activities.  The course will culminate with student-led outdoor teaching sessions.

Assessment methods

Students must do a written test with open and closed items, comprising of a series of questions that aim to ascertain students' understanding of the subjects. A practical work related to the course can be also requested. 

Teaching tools

Projector, PC, laboratories, Outdoor Contexts.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Bortolotti