- August 20th, 2010
West Lothian goes outdoors with their ‘Set up to Succeed’ programme
- rreed
- Comments: none
Teachers working across West Lothian to support children and young people with autism have been taking to the outdoors with their pupils.
Staff have been working with young people to help them develop their confidence and to manage transitions. Using a progressive and supportive approach, founded on a trusting relationship with their teachers, pupils have taken part in a range of activities which have allowed them to make real leaps forward. Skilfully using the outdoors as a context for learning has enabled the young people to develop more flexible ways of thinking, improved their confidence and skills in language and helped them to develop socially and deal with relationships.
Principal Teacher, Tom Wallace, says that he has seen real benefits for the young people when they return to school to work with their peers and other staff. In some cases they are able to communicate and deal with situations which they would have otherwise found very difficult. Key to this success is being able to set young people achievable goals and making sure that their successes are celebrated. This builds trust and allows them to deal with one challenge at a time.
The value of this work is clear to see and Education Officer, Doreen McPhail, believes that this work plays a critical role in the authorities approach to supporting young people with autism. Making the most of partnerships has helped to support the programme, for example by working with foresters from Forestry Commission Scotland.
- August 10th, 2010
Outdoor learning at the Scottish Learning Festival
- ahammerton
- Comments: 1 Comment
The outdoor learning team will be making a prominent appearance at the SLF this year, on 22nd and 23rd September at the SECC in Glasgow.
A seminar looking at the guidance and support for outdoor learning is already fully booked (All who wonder are not lost), and there is a workshop focusing on the National Parks project (Curriculum for Excellence? It’s a walk in the Parks!) as well as a spotlight session for schools to highlight their excellent work in delivering Curriculum for Excellence outdoors through a whole school approach.
As well as these look out for a number of other workshops with a clear focus on outdoor learning. Browse the online programme and book for your free attendance at http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/slf/. The outdoor learning team will also be in attendance at the LTS stand on 22nd September between 9 am and 10 am, and on 23rd September at a time to be confirmed. Come and meet us there!
- July 20th, 2010
Young people keep on walking
- rreed
- Comments: none
Active Stirling in partnership with the Bridge Project has inspired some young people to take up walking as a leisure activity
Stevie Keenan, a support worker at the Bridge project said, The walking project started with setting up four walks, seeing what the uptake would be, and it was a success. It’s really fantastic that the young people have got this walking group up and going and they are not just talking about doing it but actually doing it. We hope to have many more walks as the young people are really enjoying it with one commenting yesterday on how great they felt after the walk.
- May 27th, 2010
Learning for Change
- csmith
- Comments: none
The Scottish Government have published Learning for Change: Scotland’s Action Plan for the Second Half of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. Following Learning for Our Future, published in 2006, this new publication is aimed at the next 5 years.
The document has action points for Schools, Universities and Colleges and Community Learning and Development.
Action point 10 for Schools is: “The Scottish Government and partners will promote the use of outdoor learning experiences to engage young people in sustainable development education in a meaningful and transformative way using the Curriculum for Excellence through Outdoor Learning guidance and online resources to encourage teachers to make the most of outdoor learning opportunities”.
The Government’s aim is that by 2014 people in Scotland will have developed the knowledge, understanding, skills and values to live sustainable lives.
It has been recognised that Outdoor Learning will be integral to achieving this aim. “The Scottish Government is convinced about the benefits of learning outdoors and therefore wants sustainable and progressive opportunities for all young people to participate in a range of outdoor learning experiences. Curriculum for Excellence provides a wonderful opportunity for creative use of the outdoor environment to be embedded in learning and teaching by making clear that the outdoor learning environment offers motivating, exciting, different and relevant activities from pre-school years through to college”.
The entire document http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/312576/0098842.pdf
Further information http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/Schools/curriculum/susdevp/UNDESD/pupilsupport/outdoor
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/312576/0098842.pdf
- May 24th, 2010
Your top tips?
- rreed
- Comments: 2 Comments »
Wouldn’t it be great to read suggestions from across the country on how to take learning outside, improve practice, or inspire yourself and others?
Well, here’s your opportunity to contribute your suggestions and content!
The idea is to compile top tips, suggestions, and inspiration from across the country, all in a concise and to-the-point style. Once there is sufficient content the outdoor learning team will compile all of your input and make it available online and through Glow.
Go on, have your say. You can simply comment on this post, or send your suggestions, quotes and ideas to [email protected]
To keep things to-the-point, a maximum of 100 words is a good guide for length.
If you have access to Glow, then you can use our Glow forums to contribute too:
http://bit.ly/dB8q0a
- May 24th, 2010
Early years and primary practitioners return from Norway filled with enthusiasm
- ahammerton
- Comments: 6 Comments »
Members of the international professional development visit to Oslo to experience outdoor learning have been struck by the variety of different settings who regularly use the outdoors and whose children all demonstrate calm self assurance.
The group visited nurseries in urban and rural settings who approach outdoor learning in different ways, though all with the philosophy that being outdoors for extended periods of time is important for the holistic development of the child. The children were clearly healthy and resilient, and there was no evidence of any conflicts between children. Staff allowed them a great deal of time to engage individually in the nature around them, with plenty of opportunity for imaginative and creative play, cooperation and communication, and for developing balance and motor skills. It was also refreshing to see a number of male teachers and assistants in the nursery settings visited. Some of the nurseries ensured that their time was spent almost wholly outdoors, only going into their small indoor areas with stoves in the coldest weather, while others adopted the view that a balance of indoor and outdoor learning allowed greater focus on fine motor skills and preparation for school. All believed in and provided for at least 2 to 3 hours outdoors each day.
The design of the Norwegian curriculum, in some ways quite similar to Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence, gives teachers the freedom and support to be creative in how they deliver the content and tasks covered in the guidelines. With a recognition that play is valuable and important in its own right, and a culture which values the outdoor life, the risk-benefit balance appears to be very healthy. Visits to Oslo University informed the group about the ongoing research into, and support provided for, outdoor learning, and we were given an insight into the focus on outdoor learning provided at initial training with students spending a whole semester’s study on aspects of outdoor learning.
Members of the group have returned with many inspiring ideas to put into practice, and are reassured that opportunities for regular and frequent outdoor learning can easily be provided with little or no cost in their own settings and with huge potential for drawing in expertise and support from the local community.
- May 19th, 2010
Superb outdoor learning in Oslo - professional study visitors are impressed.
- ahammerton
- Comments: none
A 13-strong group of early years and primary staff countered many travel problems to arrive in Oslo ready to experience for themselves the progressive outdoor learning on offer.
A packed first day found us visiting pupils aged 6 calmly going about language and literacy activities and cooperating on the challenge of building a structure during their day of lessons in the local woodland. Blakstad school in a suburb of Oslo plans for a full day in this outdoor classroom for every pupil once a week in every weather all through the year, and the pupils drive the learning with enthusiasm. Visits to two private kindergartens (catering for 2 to 6 year olds) demonstrated the self confidence, independence and enquiring minds developed in the pupils. The children were happily climbing and swinging, cooperating and discussing while cooking sweet breads over the fire or whittling wood with a knife, and then organsied their own backpacks ready to walk back to their beautiful and functional purpose-built nursery building at the end of their day. (see some photos of their grounds and activities on the Norwegian website).
With some ‘naturbarnehager’ or nature kindergartens taking pupils out one day every week, and others taking a group for five consecutive full days once every three weeks, these children demonstrate healthy, happy and resilient outlooks. Social skills and decision making processes are also well honed and the Scottish visitors have been thoroughly motivated and inspired to develop their own ambitious outdoor learning plans. These plans are likely to be implemented, as this is a group of very determined people to overcome the many twists and turns, trials and tribulations of the journey here battling volcanic ash clouds, industrial action and multiple last minute changes of travel plans!
A very warm reception was also had at the education offices in Asker municipality where a comparison of policies, implementation and support through networks was elicited through discussions over a typical Norwegian lunch. Look out for further posts on the blog!
- May 18th, 2010
Join the great Exhibition Mission!
- rreed
- Comments: none
Turn your school grounds into a public art gallery from 7th to 11th June
Here’s what you need to know from Grounds for Learning:
“Every year around 8,000 schools and early years settings get involved in National School Grounds Week. This year we’re encouraging schools to join us on an Exhibition Mission to share the benefits of outdoor learning by turning their grounds into art galleries.
Our aim is to get as many UK schools as possible to pick a project, exhibit their work and temporarily change their grounds into a public art display. We’re also encouraging participating schools & settings to open their ‘Gallery in the Grounds’ to parents and the wider community.
The Exhibition Mission will help schools celebrate & create art that is not limited by the constraints of the classroom walls, experimenting with large scale models, sculptures, messy materials, large sketches, and art made from natural materials, whilst also creating a bright outdoor space around your school.
We’ll provide a fun and challenging range of gallery ideas and resources to get children of all ages outdoors and active.
National School Grounds Week is free for every school and early years setting in the UK.
What should I do next?
To register for your FREE resource pack click HERE“
- May 12th, 2010
Norway study visit for Early Years and Primary
- ahammerton
- Comments: 1 Comment
Next week sees 15 education professionals from Early Years and Primary sectors across Scotland setting off to see Oslo’s outdoor learning in practice.
The SCIPD study visit (www.ltscotland.org.uk/internationaleducation/scipdvisits/aims.asp) takes teachers to international locations to compare educational policy and practice, in this instance the focus being outdoor learning. Norway have valued the benefits of outdoor learning for some time and this will be a great opportunity for the group members to share practice and exchange ideas. Look out for updates from Norway next week!
- April 28th, 2010
Well done Grange Campus and East Ayrshire!
- rreed
- Comments: 1 Comment
“East Ayrshire Council announces that hundreds of children will benefit from a cash boost to their school to get them learning outdoors – thanks to the initiative of one of their teachers.
Grange Campus has been awarded a grant of £55,570 from the Climate Change Fund to establish an “outdoor classroom”, thanks to a successful bid by Morag Ferguson. Mrs Ferguson is a “transition teacher” in science, working with pupils from Grange, Annanhill, Park School and Woodstock School. And she is now forging ahead with a three- point plan for the Power Off and Learn Outdoors (POLO) project.”
Congratulations Morag, good work!
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