OUTDOOR EDUCATION LEARNING ABOUT THE OUTDOORS

OUTDOOR AND ADVENTUROUS EDUCATION AS PART OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION – THIS INVOLVES HIGH RISK AND SAFETY.

WHAT IS OUTDOOR EDUCATION? LEARNING ABOUT THE OUTDOORS AND THEREFORE PART OF THE PE PROGRAMME. LEARNING ABOUT THE OUTDOORS AND THEREFORE PART OF THE PE PROGRAMME. MAIN DIFFERENCE FROM PE IS THE ELEMENT OF RISK AND UNPREDICTABILITY. MAIN DIFFERENCE FROM PE IS THE ELEMENT OF RISK AND UNPREDICTABILITY. SEMI NATURAL ENVIRONMENT – ARTIFICIAL FACILITIES SEMI NATURAL ENVIRONMENT – ARTIFICIAL FACILITIES

ARTIFICIAL

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT – MOUNTAINS, RIVERS ETC.

WHAT ELSE? HAS SAME BENEFITS AS PE – HEALTH AND SKILL LEARNING ETC. HAS SAME BENEFITS AS PE – HEALTH AND SKILL LEARNING ETC. WHAT IS THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH OUTDOOR EDUCATION? WHAT IS THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH OUTDOOR EDUCATION? REAL RISK AND PERCEIVED RISK REAL RISK AND PERCEIVED RISK WHEN PARTICIPATIN IN OUTDOOR PURSUITS WE NEED TO KNOW? WHEN PARTICIPATIN IN OUTDOOR PURSUITS WE NEED TO KNOW? WHO WHO WHERE WHERE HOW HOW BENEFITS BENEFITS WHEN WHEN LIST EXAMPLES FOR THE ABOVE LIST EXAMPLES FOR THE ABOVE WHAT WOULD BE THE CONSTRAINTS AS TO WHERTHER A PE DEPARTMENT IS ABLE TO PURSUE OUTDOOR EDUCATION? WHAT WOULD BE THE CONSTRAINTS AS TO WHERTHER A PE DEPARTMENT IS ABLE TO PURSUE OUTDOOR EDUCATION?

EXTRA INFO At Key Stage 3, in this school, we pursue adventurous activities as one of the activities- this can be done in different ways. It can be described as learning in and about the outdoors – it is all those activities concerned with living, moving and learning in the outdoors. Outdoor recreation on the other hand takes place during leisure time and can result in the in the informal acquisition of valuable lessons and life skills as a consequence of the experience. Outdoor education is taught structured programme or lesson. Because it is part of the PE programme it to has the same major aims to : At Key Stage 3, in this school, we pursue adventurous activities as one of the activities- this can be done in different ways. It can be described as learning in and about the outdoors – it is all those activities concerned with living, moving and learning in the outdoors. Outdoor recreation on the other hand takes place during leisure time and can result in the in the informal acquisition of valuable lessons and life skills as a consequence of the experience. Outdoor education is taught structured programme or lesson. Because it is part of the PE programme it to has the same major aims to :

MAIN AIMS Physical health and skill learning Physical health and skill learning Preparation for active leisure Preparation for active leisure Personal and social development Personal and social development Enhancement of quality of life. Enhancement of quality of life. SELF – by giving yourself a challenge and overcoming that challenge. A good example of this is climbing a rock face SELF – by giving yourself a challenge and overcoming that challenge. A good example of this is climbing a rock face OTHERS – to gain group experiences, share decisions and work together as a team. Canadian canoeing demonstrates this well. OTHERS – to gain group experiences, share decisions and work together as a team. Canadian canoeing demonstrates this well. THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT – through direct contact with it. THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT – through direct contact with it.

BE AWARE In outdoor education the emphasis is on holistic experiences and relationships rather than specific skills.

RESTRICTIONS There are many reasons as to why outdoor pursuits are scarce with the curriculum, it many schools it is only an extra-curricular activity. Activities are very expensive in terms of transport and equipment needed, and many safety precautions must be considered, especially in the light of recent tragedies. Obviously, time and environment are other major issues. The Education Reform Act 1988 increased the problems schools experienced in offering these activities. Local Education Authorities may no longer have access to sufficient funds to provide for the relevant training. Also, the law regarding charging pupils for out of school activities may cause schools to limit or abandon such activities, as voluntary contributions may not be sufficient. This could mean that only the wealthier schools are able to participate, so these activities would retain their elite image. In order to combat these problems schools are now developing orienteering courses and having climbing walls built. There are many reasons as to why outdoor pursuits are scarce with the curriculum, it many schools it is only an extra-curricular activity. Activities are very expensive in terms of transport and equipment needed, and many safety precautions must be considered, especially in the light of recent tragedies. Obviously, time and environment are other major issues. The Education Reform Act 1988 increased the problems schools experienced in offering these activities. Local Education Authorities may no longer have access to sufficient funds to provide for the relevant training. Also, the law regarding charging pupils for out of school activities may cause schools to limit or abandon such activities, as voluntary contributions may not be sufficient. This could mean that only the wealthier schools are able to participate, so these activities would retain their elite image. In order to combat these problems schools are now developing orienteering courses and having climbing walls built.

AND MORE……… AND MORE……… The concept of adventure plays an important part in outdoor education. In 1984 Mortlock introduced the concept of the ‘adventure alternative’, believing that we have an instinct for seeking adventure and that outdoor education is one way of fulfilling this drive. Outdoor activities have an advantage over more conventional games in that the decisions have to be made are much more real. These activities always contain an element of risk because of the unpredictability of the natural environment means that there are many uncontrollable ( and sometimes life- threatening) factors that need to be taken into consideration. The concept of adventure plays an important part in outdoor education. In 1984 Mortlock introduced the concept of the ‘adventure alternative’, believing that we have an instinct for seeking adventure and that outdoor education is one way of fulfilling this drive. Outdoor activities have an advantage over more conventional games in that the decisions have to be made are much more real. These activities always contain an element of risk because of the unpredictability of the natural environment means that there are many uncontrollable ( and sometimes life- threatening) factors that need to be taken into consideration.

AND MORE………… RISK AND ADVENTURE RISK AND ADVENTURE There has been considerable growth in both traditional and new activities including jet skiing, snow boarding, mountain biking etc. The reasons for growth can be explained by : There has been considerable growth in both traditional and new activities including jet skiing, snow boarding, mountain biking etc. The reasons for growth can be explained by : Increasingly sedentary lives, which makes some people seek a more active and exciting leisure time Increasingly sedentary lives, which makes some people seek a more active and exciting leisure time Increased leisure time and standards of living, which makes these activities more accessible Increased leisure time and standards of living, which makes these activities more accessible The development of new and exciting technology sports The development of new and exciting technology sports The appreciation of the natural environment particularly as a release from urban pressures. The appreciation of the natural environment particularly as a release from urban pressures. According to Mortlock, there are four broad stages of adventure: According to Mortlock, there are four broad stages of adventure: Play Play Adventure Adventure Frontier adventure Frontier adventure Misadventure Misadventure

THE OUTWARD BOUND TRUST 50 YEARS AGO – Kurt Hahn, a progressive educationalist, and Lawrence Holt, a wealthy industrialist, founded the Outward Bound Trust. It was the first organisation in the world dedicated to personal development using the natural environment. Outward Bound works in partnership with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and provides a variety of courses such as physical expeditions, skill courses and a city challenge course in urban areas. 50 YEARS AGO – Kurt Hahn, a progressive educationalist, and Lawrence Holt, a wealthy industrialist, founded the Outward Bound Trust. It was the first organisation in the world dedicated to personal development using the natural environment. Outward Bound works in partnership with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and provides a variety of courses such as physical expeditions, skill courses and a city challenge course in urban areas.