Outdoor Education is a key area of learning in the new Health and Physical Education curriculum.
Is this something new, or has outdoor education been a part of what schools have been 'doing' for sometime? The reality is that for many schools outdoor education is the school camp. How often does going on camp mean hiking, abseiling, canoeing, or some combination of such pursuits? Is camp the only opportunity for studying stream, bush or beach environments?
So what is new? What is Outdoor Education, and what does it contribute in terms of valuable learning for our students?
"Students require a range of structured, sequenced, and developmentally appropriate learning opportunities in outdoor education. ' "In developing outdoor education programmes, schools should,: make use of the school grounds and the immediate local environment make the most of opportunities for direct experiences that can be completed in a school day;"' (Health and Physical Education in the New Zealand Curriculum, Ministry of Education, 1999.)
The traditional 'camp' experience still holds enormous value for student learning. The experience can, and will provide wonderful learning opportunities for our students. However, to 'cover' outdoor education once or twice a year is to trivialise the value of the outdoors as a viable, and easily accessible learning environment. Outdoor learning experiences should be offered more often, and be 'closer to home'. The curriculum makes clear reference to a more 'right under your nose' outlook on the teaching of Outdoor Education. Implementing the Outdoor Education key learning area is intended to he within the capability of all teachers - and therefore available to all students.
During the last half of 1999, Education Outdoors New Zealand (EONZ) had a contract with the Ministry of Education to develop learning materials and provide professional development for teachers. EONZ focussed on three areas:
Any experience outside the classroom must be:
- Development of units of work that were sequential from level 1 to level 5 of the curriculum, and in one topic area through to level 6/7.
- Using the school and local environment to teach such activities.
- Writing learning activities that all teachers could use safely with students.
EONZ personnel worked with teachers to develop this material based around the themes, 'Finding Your Way', 'Rope-able' and 'Campcraft'. The material developed was then trialled by teachers. The activities were well received by both teachers and students.
The students really enjoyed the learning opportunities
The teachers realised they had the ability to teach outdoor education, the students really enjoyed the learning opportunities they were able to experience, and all this without having to go on a hike or sleep in a tent!
Outdoor Education has much more to offer when further applied in other areas of the curriculum. It enables students to meet most of the eight essential skills identified in the New Zealand Curriculum Framework and provides many opportunities to enrich learning across the curriculum.
Perhaps the challenge for us as teachers is to question ourselves more often. What is the purpose of the activity, and is it relevant to the needs of our students? What are they learning as a result of the activities, and how has this learning made a difference to them? In pausing to question our- selves, the outdoor education experiences we provide can be truly meaningful for our students.
Any experience outside the classroom must he well planned. Activities need to be planned not only to meet intended objectives but also to he undertaken safely.
"[programmes should] ensure that appropriate resources and skilled personnel are available;" and "follow safe practices and comply with legislative requirements." (Health and Physical Education in the New Zealand Curriculum, Ministry of Education, 1999.)
It is important that teachers work within their level of resources and skill, to provide Outdoor Education experiences safely. Adequate Safety Management is a central issue in many schools, which can affect the extent of Outdoor Education offered to students. With the current environment pertaining to Health and Safety issues, schools need to have excellent Safety Management Systems if they are to safely provide quality Outdoor Education for their students.
Periam, G.(2000) Outdoor Education - what is it, and for what purpose, Education Today. Term 2:32
