Outdoor Pedagogy
Summary
Outdoor Education in preschools and schoolsThe aim of the course is to give students knowledge about outdoor education and its use in relation to different subjects and sustainability. The course combine theory and practice, including outdoor settings for teaching and learning activities in nearby nature and city. Knowledge about interrelations of nature and culture, and how to work with different conflicts of interests are in focus. Further, students will plan and organise various kinds of outdoor experiences such as how to stimulate play, movement and health. The course works to develop students' skills in outdoor life and how to use the ambient environment as an educational arena. The course includes outdoor workshops, seminars of actual research and lectures.
Admission requirements
The special prerequisite for this course, besides basic eligibility for university studies, is field eligibility: English B.
For the Swedish upper Secondary grades, merit ratings will be calculated according to Områdesbehörighet 6/A6
Selection:
credits 20% final grades 40% national university aptitude test 40%
Syllabus
Syllabus for students spring 2018
- Syllabus spring 2018 (Currently shown)
- Syllabus spring 2017
- Course Code:
- NM185E revision 1.2
- Level of specialisation
- G1N
- Main fields of study:
- No main fields
- Language:
- The teaching language is partly, or fully, English
- Date of ratification:
- 16 February 2017
- Decision-making body:
- Faculty of Education and Society
- Enforcement date:
- 16 February 2017
- Replaces Syllabus ratified:
- 16 February 2017
Entry requirements
The special prerequisite for this course, besides basic eligibility for university studies, is field eligibility: English B.
For the Swedish upper Secondary grades, merit ratings will be calculated according to Områdesbehörighet 6/A6
Purpose
The aim of the course is to develop students’ competence and knowledge about outdoor pedagogy, how it can be used pedagogically in different subjects with focus on sustainability issues. Students should develop their awareness of the complexity of sustainability issues connected to outdoor education.
Contents
The course covers theory and practice of outdoor education, mainly from the sustainability and health perspectives. The course requires active participation in seminars and outdoor activities. During the course, students will plan and organize various kinds of outdoor activities and will develop their knowledge of different conflicting interests related to sustainability and health in outdoor life. The course offers the students the possibility of developing their skills in planning outdoor learning activities and using and adapting the surrounding environment as an educational arena. Students will become acquainted with and learn to evaluate recent research in outdoor education.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course the student will be able to
- reflect on ecological contexts of natural environments as well as relations between nature and society from the perspective of sustainability anchored in outdoor education
- lead and organise outdoor education in an interdisciplinary context with focus on promoting health and sustainability
- reflect on and problematise how outdoor environments can be used for pupils’ learning, development and health
- discuss how school surroundings can be pedagogically and sustainably developed.
Learning activities
Learning activities include outdoor workshops, seminars and lectures and overnight camp. Both individual and group works are part of the course.
Assessments
Portfolio Examination (7, 5 credits)
This examination will assess learning outcome 2 and 4.
Oral and written Examination (7, 5 credits)
This examination will assess learning outcome 1 and 3.
Grading system
Excellent (A), Very Good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Pass (E) or Fail (U).
Course literature and other teaching materials
Henderson, B. & Vikander, N. (2007). Nature first. Outdoor life the friluftsliv way. Toronto. Natural Heritages Books (100p.)
Gurholt, KP (2008) Norwegian friluftsliv and ideals of becoming an ‘educated man’. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 8:1, p. 55–70
Sandell, K.; Öhman, J. & Östman, L. (2005). Education for Sustainable Development. Nature, school and Democracy. Lund: Studentlitteratur (235p.)
Sandell, K. & Öhman, J. (2010) Educational potentials of encounters with nature: reflections from a Swedish outdoor perspective, Environmental Education Research, 16:1, p 113-132
Course evaluation
Evaluation is an integral part of the course and takes place on two separate occasions: mid-course and at the end of the course. A final written individual evaluation based on learning outcomes is completed at the end of the course. The result of the course evaluation is summarized and made available in a report to be used as a basis for future courses.
Contact
The education is provided by the Faculty of Education and Society at the department Nature, Environment and Society.