Learning for Our Future
The Scottish Executive have produced Scotland's First Action Plan for the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, it contains several references to Outdoor Education and the curriculum as printed below;
21. A key purpose of the curriculum review will be to unify the curriculum providing improved and more coherent opportunities for teachers to use cross-cutting elements such as education for citizenship, environmental education, outdoor education, international education and education for the global perspective, as vehicles for learning across curricular areas and subjects.
32. There are close connections between these two approaches and they can add value to each other by connecting up
- health benefits of walking/cycling with environmental benefits of travel choices and travel planning as a skill for life
- designing the estate for environmental impact and health promotion
linking healthy eating with sustainable food procurement
- prioritising places to play and enjoy quiet time over car parking
- outdoor education - mental and physical health benefits, learning about the environment.
Outdoor education
35. Making the most of learning outdoors can be a very effective way of developing a whole school approach. It can link and strengthen different strands of what can seem like competing agendas.
36. Outdoor education is a whole school approach which forms a valuable component of a rounded and rich educational experience. It provides a very important setting for young people to discover more about themselves, to develop environmental awareness and to engage in the sustainability debate. Young people benefit from regular opportunities to learn in a natural setting, to build up familiarity with a natural place close to home and to relate theory to reality on the ground. SNH is preparing a web-based site directory of places for schools to visit for learning across Scotland to make this easier.
37. The Executive is keen to raise the profile of outdoor education in Scotland by developing outdoor education for all young people. It is recognised that education in the outdoors can contribute to the delivery of the four key purposes of education, in particular developing citizenship through sustainable environmental studies and national heritage awareness. Learning and Teaching Scotland are taking forward this work with a new development programme Outdoor Connections and have appointed a national development officer to identify and disseminate good practice and encourage authorities to review and enhance provision. Some examples of what can be achieved by learning outdoors are included in the annex.
100. The underlying principle is to build on the existing skill set of participants and encourage them to 'link their thinking' and look at what they do differently. Within the Scottish Executive for example, policy makers will be encouraged to explore connections between their areas and search for the sustainable development 'wins'. At a more hands-on level, youth and outdoor workers involved with John Muir Trust recognise that they already spend a lot of time working outdoors but are not necessarily making the most of the learning opportunities that natural classroom presents. Making connections between programmes - building in skills or employability to conservation work; looking at environmental issues as part of outdoor education programmes - can build skills and capacity, strengthen partnership working, and engender commitment and enthusiasm among participants.
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Careers in Outdoor Education / Outdoor Learning
The Institute for Outdoor Learning has a section re jobs available on its web site.
They also produce;
Guide to a Career in Outdoor Learning by IOL
Everything you should know before applying for that college place or job offer - make sure you have chosen the right route for you. This guide covers all aspects of career development in outdoor education, development training and recreation. It is a must for anyone interested in studying or working, paid or voluntary, in this broad and increasingly popular area. It gives information on 'a day in the life of...' a variety of different jobs so you understand expected job roles, work loads and pay scales. Explains different entry points into the profession - educational and work based and has a useful address section. Essential reading. Every school and Connexions centre should have a copy to hand.
1-898555-06-0, IOL, 2003
Price: £8.50
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