Outdoor Education Model By Adam Bibbs and Andy Klaers.

Outdoor Education Outdoor Education ModelModel

By Adam Bibbs and Andy KlaersBy Adam Bibbs and Andy Klaers

What is Outdoor Education?What is Outdoor Education?

► Outdoor Education is an experiential method with Outdoor Education is an experiential method with the use of all senses in which most of the learning the use of all senses in which most of the learning takes place in the outdoors. Outdoor education takes place in the outdoors. Outdoor education programs often involve residential or journey based programs often involve residential or journey based experiences in which students participate in a experiences in which students participate in a variety of adventurous challenges.variety of adventurous challenges.

► Outdoor Education is education in, about, and for Outdoor Education is education in, about, and for the out of doors.the out of doors. In – tells us that outdoor education can occur in any outdoor In – tells us that outdoor education can occur in any outdoor

setting from a school yard to a remote wilderness setting.setting from a school yard to a remote wilderness setting. About – explains that the topic is the outdoors itself and the About – explains that the topic is the outdoors itself and the

cultural aspects related to the natural environment.cultural aspects related to the natural environment. For – tells us that the purpose of outdoor education is For – tells us that the purpose of outdoor education is

related to implementing the cognitive, psychomotor, and related to implementing the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains of learning for the sake of the ecosystem affective domains of learning for the sake of the ecosystem itself. itself.

Philosophy/Aims of Outdoor Philosophy/Aims of Outdoor EducationEducation

► The aim of outdoor education is usually not the The aim of outdoor education is usually not the activity per se, but rather to learn how to overcome activity per se, but rather to learn how to overcome adversity, work alongside others, and to develop a adversity, work alongside others, and to develop a deeper relationship with nature. The three domains deeper relationship with nature. The three domains of self, others, and the natural world are commonly of self, others, and the natural world are commonly understood as the main aims in outdoor education.understood as the main aims in outdoor education.

► Some specific outdoor education programs aims are Some specific outdoor education programs aims are to:to: Reduce recidivism (crime)Reduce recidivism (crime) Enhance teamworkEnhance teamwork Teach outdoor survival skillsTeach outdoor survival skills Promote spiritualityPromote spirituality Understand natural environmentsUnderstand natural environments Develop leadership skillsDevelop leadership skills Improve problem solving skillsImprove problem solving skills

HistoryHistory

► Ancient Greek Civilization – adventurous Ancient Greek Civilization – adventurous pursuits such as horse riding to train soldierspursuits such as horse riding to train soldiers

► Scouting Movement – 1907 Robert Baden-Scouting Movement – 1907 Robert Baden-Powell. Employed non-formal education with Powell. Employed non-formal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities.an emphasis on practical outdoor activities.

► Outward Bound Movement – A movement in the Outward Bound Movement – A movement in the UK often cited as the beginning of the modern UK often cited as the beginning of the modern outdoor education phenomenon. Later spread outdoor education phenomenon. Later spread to the USA in the 1960s.to the USA in the 1960s.

► Kurt Hahn – A German educator who is credited Kurt Hahn – A German educator who is credited as the founder of adventure education.as the founder of adventure education.

Components of Outdoor Components of Outdoor EducationEducation

► Adventure Education Adventure Education Interpersonal relationships – refer to how people Interpersonal relationships – refer to how people

get along in a group of two or more people.get along in a group of two or more people. Intrapersonal relationships – refer to how an Intrapersonal relationships – refer to how an

individual gets along with self, self-concept, individual gets along with self, self-concept, spirituality, confidence, self-efficacy, etc.spirituality, confidence, self-efficacy, etc.

► Environmental EducationEnvironmental Education Ecosystemic relationships – refer to the Ecosystemic relationships – refer to the

interdependence of living organisms in ecological interdependence of living organisms in ecological microclimate. microclimate.

Ekistic relationships – refer to the interactions Ekistic relationships – refer to the interactions between human society and the natural between human society and the natural resources of an environment.resources of an environment.

CharacteristicsCharacteristicsModelModel Essential ElementsEssential Elements ExamplesExamples

ClubClub Club constitution or organizational Club constitution or organizational guidelines.  Officers to provide guidelines.  Officers to provide leadership.  Membership leadership.  Membership requirements, usually dues. requirements, usually dues.

Harvard Outing Club  Harvard Outing Club  Dartmouth Outing Club  Dartmouth Outing Club  Sierra Club Sierra Club

InstructionalInstructional

SchoolSchoolDesignated instructor or professor Designated instructor or professor teaches a class, workshop, or clinic.  teaches a class, workshop, or clinic.  Classes either offered free or fees or Classes either offered free or fees or tuition charged tuition charged

Outward Bound  Outward Bound  National Outdoor National Outdoor Leadership School  Leadership School  Eastern Washington Eastern Washington University Outdoor University Outdoor Recreation Leadership Recreation Leadership Curriculum Curriculum

GuidedGuided

PackagedPackagedDesignated guides lead guests or Designated guides lead guests or clients on trips. Trips either offered clients on trips. Trips either offered free or fees charged  free or fees charged 

Rocky Mt. River Tours  Rocky Mt. River Tours  Sobek  Sobek  Mountain Travel Mountain Travel

Common Common AdventureAdventure

No designated leader. Trip expenses No designated leader. Trip expenses are shared by all participants.  are shared by all participants. 

University of Oregon University of Oregon Outdoor Program Outdoor Program

Topics CoveredTopics Covered

► Adventure and Leadership TrainingAdventure and Leadership Training► Decision makingDecision making► Emotional IntelligenceEmotional Intelligence► Environment StudiesEnvironment Studies► Geography StudiesGeography Studies► HistoryHistory► LeadershipLeadership► RespectRespect► ResponsibilityResponsibility► ResilienceResilience► Self RelianceSelf Reliance► Inter/Intrapersonal UnderstandingInter/Intrapersonal Understanding

Teacher ResponsibilitiesTeacher Responsibilities

► Technical SkillsTechnical Skills►Outdoor livingOutdoor living► SafetySafety► Environmental skillsEnvironmental skills►OrganizationOrganization► InstructionInstruction► FacilitationFacilitation► LeadershipLeadership► Environmental ethicsEnvironmental ethics► KnowledgeKnowledge

AssessmentAssessment►Observation checklists of skillsObservation checklists of skills► Progression checklistsProgression checklists► Put students in realistic situationsPut students in realistic situations► Example – Canoeing skill ChecklistExample – Canoeing skill ChecklistStudent Student namename

ForwardForward ReverseReverse DrawDraw PryPry J-strokeJ-stroke

TimTim

ChristinaChristina

GeraldGerald

+ = consistently performs stroke correctly using all cues

N = performs stroke correctly the majority of the time, at times has to think about cues

- = performs stroke incorrectly the majority of the time

Other AssessmentsOther Assessments

► ScenariosScenarios► JournalingJournaling► Written testsWritten tests► Application EssaysApplication Essays► Interdisciplinary TechniquesInterdisciplinary Techniques► Self AnalysisSelf Analysis► Group Feedback/InteractionGroup Feedback/Interaction► Teach BacksTeach Backs► Fitness TestsFitness Tests► Group ProcessGroup Process► ResearchResearch

Activities includedActivities included

► ArcheryArchery► AbseilingAbseiling► Art and Photography Campcraft (cooking)Art and Photography Campcraft (cooking)► BackpackingBackpacking► BellboatingBellboating► BikingBiking► BushwalkingBushwalking► CampingCamping► CanoeingCanoeing► ExpeditionsExpeditions► KayakingKayaking► Navigation activities (orienteering)Navigation activities (orienteering)► RaftingRafting► Rock climbingRock climbing► Rope coursesRope courses► SwimmingSwimming► Winter sports (ice fishing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, building Winter sports (ice fishing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, building

snow caves, etc.) snow caves, etc.)

Equipment NeededEquipment Needed► Water bottlesWater bottles► SunscreenSunscreen► Hat/capHat/cap► Waterproof jacketWaterproof jacket► Insect repellentInsect repellent► Cooking utensils Cooking utensils ► Extra clothesExtra clothes► Shoes/bootsShoes/boots► Swim suitsSwim suits► TowelTowel► ToiletriesToiletries► CameraCamera► Pillow and sleeping bagPillow and sleeping bag► BikeBike► Rope supplies (ropes, harness, etc.)Rope supplies (ropes, harness, etc.)► Water supplies (canoe, kayak, etc.)Water supplies (canoe, kayak, etc.)► First Aid kitFirst Aid kit► Back pack that everything should fit inBack pack that everything should fit in

Organizations and Organizations and AssociationsAssociations

►AssociationsAssociations American Camp AssociationAmerican Camp Association Association for Experiential EducationAssociation for Experiential Education

►OrganizationsOrganizations Duke of Edinburgh AwardDuke of Edinburgh Award National Outdoor Leadership SchoolNational Outdoor Leadership School Nature’s ClassroomNature’s Classroom Outdoor Education CampOutdoor Education Camp Outward BoundOutward Bound

BenefitsBenefits► Different outdoor components and models can be easily Different outdoor components and models can be easily

blended together through the use of camping/adventure trips.blended together through the use of camping/adventure trips.► Improved relationships between students and teachers after Improved relationships between students and teachers after

trips.trips.► Cultural ConnectionsCultural Connections► Health benefits Health benefits ► Positive role models Positive role models ► Leadership opportunitiesLeadership opportunities► Personal GrowthPersonal Growth► Opportunity to make friendshipsOpportunity to make friendships► Learning accountability and independenceLearning accountability and independence► Increased inter/intrapersonal skillsIncreased inter/intrapersonal skills► Active participationActive participation► Decision making skillsDecision making skills► Problem solving skillsProblem solving skills

LimitationsLimitations

► TripsTrips► EquipmentEquipment► Space requirementsSpace requirements► PlanningPlanning► Complexity Complexity ► Waviers/RisksWaviers/Risks► CostCost► Experience needed to teach it effectivelyExperience needed to teach it effectively► Participatory Nature – when one person organizes, plans, and Participatory Nature – when one person organizes, plans, and

conducts the trips.conducts the trips.► Autocratic Leadership – autocratic and the group members do Autocratic Leadership – autocratic and the group members do

not participate in decisions.not participate in decisions.► Pecuniary – when a sponsoring institution or club makes Pecuniary – when a sponsoring institution or club makes

money off the trip.money off the trip.

Evidence it worksEvidence it works

► Student surveys conducted found that it Student surveys conducted found that it improves self confidence, self knowledge, team improves self confidence, self knowledge, team work, thoughtfulness, and caring for others.work, thoughtfulness, and caring for others.

► 65% of those who participate in adventure 65% of those who participate in adventure programs are better off than those who do not programs are better off than those who do not participate.participate.

► Outdoor education participants experience Outdoor education participants experience additional growth on returning to their home additional growth on returning to their home environments.environments.

► Since it has only been around since the 1960’s Since it has only been around since the 1960’s research is still being conducted to find out how research is still being conducted to find out how effective outdoor education is and can be.effective outdoor education is and can be.

ReferencesReferences► www.isu.edu/outdoor/CADefine.htm► Australian Journal of Outdoor Education – Volume 3 No. 1 Australian Journal of Outdoor Education – Volume 3 No. 1

19981998► http://research2.csci.educ.ubc.ca/indigenation/ketchkie.htmhttp://research2.csci.educ.ubc.ca/indigenation/ketchkie.htm► www.isu.edu/outdoor/model.htmwww.isu.edu/outdoor/model.htm► http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventure_educationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventure_education► www.eric.ed.govwww.eric.ed.gov► http://www.bbc.qld.edu.au/outdoor_ed/files/http://www.bbc.qld.edu.au/outdoor_ed/files/

Parent_Info_Book_2007.pdfParent_Info_Book_2007.pdf► http://www.artsci.gmcc.ab.ca/courses/peds205ml/http://www.artsci.gmcc.ab.ca/courses/peds205ml/

adventureeducation.htmladventureeducation.html► Standards-Based Physical Education Curriculum DevelopmentStandards-Based Physical Education Curriculum Development► Assessment in Outdoor Adventure Physical EducationAssessment in Outdoor Adventure Physical Education