Outdoor learning as an educational concept goes beyond the traditional understanding of teaching which takes place in the indoor classroom. There is a large body of evidence about the benefits of outdoor learning, including improved language and communication skills, motivation, independence, confidence and self-esteem, concentration, creativity, etc.
All curriculum areas can be supported by outdoor learning but taking lessons outdoors also requires planning and facing challenges that stand in the way.
This course offers a mixture of practical workshops, outdoor activities and lectures with space to share experience and examples of good practice.
Who is this course for?
The course is primarily designed for primary school teachers and other members of staff looking for knowledge, skills, examples of good practice and advice to support the development of outdoor learning in their schools.
However, also pre-school or secondary school teacher can benefit from theoretical lectures on experiential learning and first-hand outdoor experience.
Why choose this course?
This course is a great choice for teachers who want to:
- become familiar with the philosophy and principles surrounding outdoor learning;
- participate in a variety of activities in a large outdoor classroom;
- obtain knowledge and skills to move forward in their school.
Thoughts from our past participants and some impressions
Provisional timetable
| MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN | |
| Morning | Arrival | Session 1 | Session 3 | Session 4 | Session 5 | Session 6 | A |
| Afternoon | Welcome | Session 2 | Visit to Ljubljana | Optional modules | Free | Sharing best practice event | day |
| Evening | Free | International evening | Slovenian evening | Activities evening | Free | Reflection evening | trip |
You can get a more detailed timetable with the planned hours for your course upon request through the contact form.
Working sessions
SESSION 1:
Experiential Learning and Education System
(Changes in the worlds of our students regardnig the past experience of us – their teachers. Needs that are met no more. Trends in the adaptations and modifications of school systems. Concept of learning by doing.)
SESSION 2:
Outdoor Classroom at St. Stanislav’s Institution
(Comprehensive presentation of our concept of outdoor classrom and school programme. Steps in the development of the programme. Reflections on the trodden path. Obstacles and challenges along the way.)
SESSION 3:
Skills for Life
(Afternoon and extracurricular activities outdoors. Overcoming the shortcomings of the school system directed solely towards the knowledge of facts. Examples of methods and techniques. Survival skills and cooking outdoors.)
SESSION 4:
Curriculum Outdoors
(Taking school subjects and their objectives and programmes outdoors. Preparing and implementing lesson plans. Including students in the phase of planning. Examples of good practice.)
SESSION 5:
Outdoor Education and New Technologies
(How to combine outdoor education and new technologies in order to design lessons for pupils. Encouraging critical and responsible use of electronic devices.)
SESSION 6:
Reflection and Possibilities for Implementation
(How can we use the examples learned throughout the week in our situations. Preparation of informal activities, outdoor lunch.)
The team
Klemen is the head of outdoor and afternoon activities at Alojzij Šuštar Primary School. He also teaches a practical skills subject (practicum) and coordinates the current outdoor Erasmus+ project in partnership with a Norwegian primary school.
Dragica was one of the first teachers at Alojzij Šuštar Primary School who started to work intensively on the concept of oudoor education and experiantial learning. She was leading an innovation project with the National Education Institute Slovenia in the first years of the opening of the school. She is a class teacher in the lower grades.
Petra is a class teacher for the students of lower grades at Alojzij Šuštar Primary School. She has done also some theoretical work regarding the concepts of experiential learning and written several papars she presented at various (international) conferences.
Tina has experience of being the second teacher in the first grade and in the afternoon activities at Alojzij Šuštar Primary School. She is now working in the Institute for those with impaired or no hearing at their unit at St. Stanislav's.
Marinka was one of the first enthousiasts in outdoor education at St. Stanislav's. She attended several international courses and implemented the learned practices into the everyday life of her classes at Alojzij Šuštar Primary School.
Uroš is a keen survivalist. He teaches sports at Alojzij Šuštar Primary School and also leads the boys' wilderness retreats where they learn about shelters, fire and food gathering/catching and preparation.
What is included in the course package?
- course contents and materials
- additional optional modules and a sharing best practice event
- coffee and other refreshments throughout the course
- full-board accommodation
- rich social programme
- a series of networking opportunities
For more information, see other sections of the webiste.
One last summary
- 6 intensive working sessions in a smaller group
- approachable and hands-on teacher trainers
- 2 optional modules to personalise your course experience
- many opportunities for networking and exchange of good practice
- rich social programme
- full-board accommodation
Everything in the price of €1,300
A chance to get an Erasmus+ grant of around €2,000