Introduction to Outdoor Learning

A day course aimed at teachers and education professionals who would like to take their lessons out of the classroom but are unsure where to begin. This course is delivered by Anna Thompson, Education Manager for Nene Park Trust with over 19 years experience of outdoor learning. During the course participants will develop a “tool box” of outdoor learning activities and gain the skills and confidence they need to begin to take the curriculum out of the classroom and make use of any outdoor space available to deliver inspiring learning experiences.

Session 1 - Planning outdoor learning A session looking at how to go about planning an outdoor learning experience. Participants will consider how to identify opportunities for outdoor learning and how outdoor learning can help to meet the requirements of different areas of the curriculum. We will also discuss selecting an appropriate location for outdoor learning and carrying out risk assessments.

Session 2 - Outdoor learning activities We will look at a selection of outdoor learning activities e.g. scavenger hunts, natural art, den building and discuss how these can be adapted to link to different topics and for different abilities.

Session 3 - Nature studies A session focussing on activities intended to meet the requirements of the “Understanding the world” learning and development area which relate to wildlife and nature. We will look at examples of simple resources and equipment which could be used to find and identify plants and animals

Session 4 - Making effective use of resources and equipment Participants will have an opportunity to bring along any resources or equipment which they might have in their settings and be unsure how to use. As a group we will discuss ideas for using the resources. We will also look at a variety of other resources and equipment which can be used during outdoor learning and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. Participants will then work in small groups to use what they have learned during the day to plan an outdoor learning activity which they could take back and deliver in their setting.