Integrating outdoor learning into formal education

Being in contact with the outdoor is essential for a positive impact on the cognitive, behavioural and emotional development of human beings since prehistory. Even nowadays it is usual to feel inspired, intimidated or even influenced by walking in nature or admiring different landscape. Outdoor education is an innovative teaching approach that offers the possibility to address two of the most important topics of today’s society: providing long-lasting high quality education and raising awareness on the importance of preserving our planet in the face of the daunting threat of climate change.
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The new edition of the course “Outdoor education: a new way of teaching and learning” took place in Palermo from 13/10/2024 to 19/10/2024. The participants came from all across Europe, with Per from Naturbruksgymnasiet Skellefteå kommun in Sweden, Ingrit, Liis and Mari-Liis from Väike Päike Childrens Club in Estonia, Daniela from Goethe Gymnasium Regensburg in Germany, Marta,
Alicja and Barbara from School Complex in Ostromecko in Poland, Carole and Isabelle from école Raymond MONDON in France, Jana and Sylvie from ZŠ a MŠ Ludgeřovice in the Czech Republic and last but not least, Luiza and Maryla from SP Skrzyszów in Poland.

To start with the course, we introduced Outdoor Education, exploring the definitions and the diverse ways in which we can guide our students to come in contact with the outdoor, which doesn’t imply to be always in nature and forests. Indeed, we dedicated one part of the training to Urban Outdoor Education in the city and we carried different dynamics at Mondello beach. The participants learned to teach subjects like science, maths, music, art, language and more by testing activities which guided their attention to the surroundings.

Another part of the course was focused on practicing many tools in a natural environment in local parks. All the games and activities tested were much appreciated and gave inspiration to our participants, giving the opportunity to share their activities with the rest of the group and also to create their own Outdoor activity. We also explored the 10 principles of outdoor education along with Non Formal Education (NFE) a pedagogical approach to delve into outdoor activities. This approach puts students at the centre of the learning process when they are performing an activity or a task. By following the entire cycle and making sure we ask our students the correct reflecting questions, they can relate the new knowledge acquired to their lives and apply it.

Last but not least, in the last days of the course we designed an outdoor experience ad hoc for each participant’s target group based on the subject taught. Each participant planed an outdoor lesson, taking into account the Safety and educational space planning, followed by the feedback of the teacher.​ This week was a true example itself of the efficacy of experiential outdoor learning: with our hands-on approach, participants had a real taste of what an outdoor education activity looks like and acquired the knowledge needed to plan one for their students.
During this course participants were able to explore a lot of activities and games that they will be able to replicate with their students, showing that they can also learn outside the classroom!

Discover more about this course here.