OUTDOOR: Discover the Power of Nature in Your Teaching

Target audience

Teachers and school staff at pre-primary- primary-lower secondary school

Tuition

25 hours

Objectives

The main objectives of this course are to:

• Understand the benefits of outdoor learning for both students and teachers, focusing on cognitive, emotional, and physical development.
• Identify and overcome barriers to implementing outdoor lessons.
• Learn how to effectively prepare and use outdoor spaces for teaching various subjects.
• Gain practical experience with outdoor activities, games, and experiments that can be immediately applied in the classroom.
• Explore the use of the IBSE (Inquiry-Based Science Education) method in outdoor settings to foster curiosity and scientific thinking.
• Discover how nature can enhance both students’ and teachers’ well-being, improving focus, reducing stress, and boosting overall learning outcomes.
• Inspire participants to integrate outdoor learning into their curriculum year-round for a more balanced and fulfilling teaching experience.

Methodology

• Theoretical Foundation: The seminar begins with a brief but comprehensive introduction grounded in scientific research. Participants will learn about the positive effects of outdoor learning on children’s cognitive and emotional development. Studies highlighting the impact of nature on reducing stress, enhancing concentration, and improving well-being will be discussed. This theoretical base will guide the practical applications throughout the seminar.
• Research-Based Insights into Play and Movement: We will integrate evidence on the importance of play and physical activity for healthy child development. Through brief presentations, participants will understand how movement and unstructured outdoor play foster creativity, problem-solving, and social skills. These insights will set the stage for the following practical activities.
• Experiential Learning: Hands-on, outdoor activities will be the core of the seminar. Participants will actively engage in games, exploratory exercises, and experiments that can be directly applied in their teaching in various subjects (Science, Math, Languages, Art, History). This approach ensures they experience the benefits of outdoor learning firsthand.
• Collaborative Problem-Solving: Using group discussions and brainstorming sessions, participants will identify the barriers to outdoor learning in their own contexts. Through guided facilitation, they will collaboratively explore creative solutions, making the seminar tailored to their needs.
• Practical Application and Resource Insights: Participants will focus on essential tools for outdoor teaching, with a demonstration of useful materials. We will provide tips on how students can create their own tools from recycled materials, ensuring outdoor lessons are resource-efficient and accessible.
• Peer Learning and Reflection: Throughout the seminar, space will be provided for participants to reflect on their learning, ask questions, and share ideas. Open discussions and peer-to-peer feedback will encourage mutual inspiration and support.
• Outdoor Learning with the IBSE Method: Participants will explore how to apply the IBSE (Inquiry-Based Science Education) method outdoors, fostering curiosity and encouraging students to engage in scientific exploration through direct interaction with their natural environment. This will be practiced through inquiry-based tasks.
• Well-being Focus for Students and Teachers: Explore how nature can not only support students’ well-being but also help teachers manage stress and enhance their personal sense of satisfaction.

Content

The Benefits of Outdoor Learning:

• What outdoor learning brings to students and teachers.
• The impact of nature on cognitive development, emotional well-being, and creativity.

Overcoming Barriers to Outdoor Learning:

• Identifying common barriers (e.g., time, resources, weather) and exploring practical solutions.
• Developing strategies to make outdoor learning accessible and sustainable.

What You Need (and Don’t Need) for Outdoor Learning:ì

• What’s necessary and what’s not for outdoor learning.
• DIY tips on tools and resources made from natural and recycled materials with students— let’s make learning more practical, creative and sustainable.

Outdoor Activities, Games, and Resources:

• A showcase of tried-and-tested outdoor games, lesson plans, worksheets, and other inspiration.
• Subject-specific lessons (Math, Languages, Science, Art and History) and how to take them outside.

Inquiry-Based Science Education (IBSE) Outdoors:

• How to use the IBSE method outdoors to spark curiosity and scientific discovery.
• Students will engage in experiments and hands-on activities to explore natural phenomena, ask questions, and draw their own conclusions.

Enhancing Well-being Through Nature for Students and Teachers:

• Discover strategies to improve both children’s and teachers’ well-being through time spent outdoors.
• How outdoor activities can help reduce stress, increase focus, and support mental health for students, while also offering teachers a way to recharge and find balance in their busy schedules.

Creating a Year-Round Outdoor Learning Plan:

• How to integrate outdoor lessons throughout the entire school year.
• Connecting curriculum goals with outdoor learning experiences.

Outdoor Play and Learning:

• The importance of play in nature and its role in child development.
• Tailoring outdoor activities to children’s different ages, interests, experiences and personality types.

Exploring the Outdoor Laboratory:

• Engage in hands-on scientific discovery through outdoor experiments and models.
• Learn how to turn any outdoor space into a laboratory for exploration and learning.

Participants

Minimum number: 15 – Max number: 20

Language

English

Cost

450 € per participant
including: tuition fee, learning materials, organizational costs, certificate of attendance

The course finishes at 13:00 on Friday so to allow participoants to return or cultural visit.

Info and registration

Open for pre-registration: https://forms.gle/ttfPnpuEGbh95UxQA

For more info write to: infosmartedu4all@gmail.com

Go back to the Erasmus page: https://www.smartedu4all.it/explore-erasmus-courses/