The
importance of outdoor learning is now increasingly recognized by education professionals, with schools often doing everything they can to include it as part of the curriculum.
In summary, to begin to develop your
use of outdoor learning or to enhance your existing approach I encourage you to look at what partnerships you are drawing on.
Review outdoor learning rules and the benefits
of outdoor learning with students, including potential hazards and actions to take in the event of hazards.
That's the great thing about learning outside the classroom; the
benefits of outdoor learning and travelling abroad open the students up to a whole new experience that is accessible at their level.
• Design of play settings to maximise play value, usability and inclusion; • Design
of outdoor learning spaces; • Collaboration with children and adults; • Design of sustainable, natural landscapes; • Design for access and inclusion; and, • Preparation of high quality technical drawings and specifications.
«We have always understood the
value of outdoor learning and the benefits that well planned and delivered lessons and activities give to our children, and the framework of the LOtC Mark allowed us to rationalise our ambitions even further,» said Robin Davies, headmaster of Barfield School, LOtC Mark Silver holders.
In my role at the Institute for Outdoor Learning I've seen a steady increase in interest in how to harness the
power of outdoor learning amongst teachers, instructors, youth workers and coaches over the past few years.
Herb has visited dozens of these schools and nature centers, and he showcases the very best examples of schoolyard - enhanced learning in action in his new book Moving the Classroom Outdoors, complete with photos of a wide
variety of outdoor learning environments.
The preschool outdoor learning area design guide (PDF 333KB) addresses the principles, elements and objectives
of an outdoor learning environment in an early childhood service and must be used when developing outdoor learning areas.
The
Art of Outdoor Learning seeks to place the learning of those children and families involved in Green Town Group, within the wider context of James» place - based practice, and the national picture of primary art education and outdoor learning.
The last decade has seen a growing body of research that focuses on both the «how»
of outdoor learning as well as the «why» which in turn is laying the foundations for more targeted research into specific outcomes.
Antidotes to the modern world When we spoke to schools with a high
rate of outdoor learning, about the «secret to success», those surveyed ranked a number of important contributing factors.
Course aims and links to learning Randall Williams, in his
summary of outdoor learning research «Time for Change», shows that there is now clear and demonstrable evidence that challenging outdoor activities and environmental studies contribute towards a range of societal targets across education, health, anti-social behaviour and community cohesion.
Though there is a something of a strategic move by the likes of RSPB to pull back from the direct
provision of outdoor learning practitioners, they and a wealth of other organisations such as the National Trust, still encourage use of their sites by schools.
The Countryside Code Education resource is a comprehensive teaching resource that brings the educational benefits
of outdoor learning within easy reach of teachers, children and young people.
School trips are an important part of the wider
family of outdoor learning opportunities, all of which provide beneficial outcomes to children with a wide range of abilities and issues.
If you're a parent, you can sign up too - and communicate the importance
of outdoor learning directly to your child's school with downloadable letters and posters and tips on how to support them.
Speaking about this year's shortlist, Managing Director of i2o Limited Robert Carpenter said: «We are
champions of outdoor learning and we know schools are too.
HB: Especially over the last 10 years, much research has been done to evaluate the
effects of outdoor learning on academic achievement.
The Outdoor Learning sector will formally launch a campaign later this year to promote a
series of outdoor learning experiences for children and young people from early years to adulthood.
In 2016, Ratner School embarked on the creation
of an OUTDOOR LEARNING LABORATORY — a redesign of parts of our outdoor campus that will allow students to explore nature and learn about contributing to a sustainable environment.
If you're a
fan of outdoor learning, literacy, great photography, and, of course, dogs, then you should check out Mr. Pish's new 2015 calendars.
Though some school based
use of outdoor learning can be comparatively low cost, driven by motivated staff and access to school grounds or local outdoor environments, outdoor residential excursions and expeditions can be a different level cost.
Our first stop begins in the US but with a global twist, as educators working with both American and Australian early childhood programs take the
concept of outdoor learning to a new level.
Join artist Alice Boland - Rhodes and make your very own walking sketchbook in response to this month's Project Space exhibition, The
Art of Outdoor Learning.
Eden's focus on the
importance of outdoor learning and play can be seen throughout the work of the project as well as through the schools education team, with the ever - popular den building activities that take place in the project's arena during the summer and the landscaping and design of the play areas and gardens around the site.
BESA's Mark Rosser invites member Mark Brown of TG Escapes to question why there is no improvement and offer his advice to schools on reaping the
benefits of the outdoor learning environment.