| Education Outside the Classroom, EOtC, encompasses a variety of curriculum-based learning activities outside the classroom – mostly in nature, but also in society and cultural settings. It is a growing, innovative educational approach in the European context, as well as worldwide. In EOtC, direct and authentic experiences in nature and elsewhere can create great opportunities for meaningful learning experiences, both for students and for teachers. This program is designed for educators and professionals looking to integrate outdoor learning methods into their practice. Based at a teacher training institution located in a rural setting, the course provides an immersive and experiential programme. In this course you meet some of the most well-known experts in the field in Denmark. You will get an introduction to theory and methodology, lots of practical activities that can be transferred directly to your everyday work, tools, personal and professional insights and the opportunity for sharing and networking with passionate colleagues. |
Target audience
Teachers and school staff at pre-primary- primary-lower secondary school
Tuition
30 hours
Objectives
The main objective of this training course is to provide a practice-based introduction in Education Outside the Classroom, in Scandinavia known as Udeskole. More specifically, the learning objectives are:
- To understand the needs for outdoor learning and trends in outdoor teaching
- To provide educators with strategies and methods to use outdoors as a classroom.
- To equip participants with the skills to design, plan, and deliver outdoor education activities that align with curriculum goals.
- To gain confidence in teaching outdoors in different subjects as mother tongue, mathematics, history, arts and so on
- To enhance teaching methods, encourage creativity, and increase student engagement through experiential learning
- To try out and learn by own experiences different learning opportunities offered by outdoors.
- Know and understand experiential learning approach for planning and managing outdoor learning
Methodology
In this Course two main assessment strategies are used:
- 1. Self-assessment by a structured reflection tool
- 2. Qualitative evaluation, made through final presentation of a possible teaching program you can use with your own pupils Materials, digital tools and other learning resources may vary depending on participants’ needs and the educational setting, but besides your personal laptop and phone, they will be provided by the course.
Content
The course will alternate between indoor lessons and outdoor experience, so please bring appropriate clothing and suitable footwear.
Draft Programme:
Monday – Welcome and Introduction
- Introduction to the course and basic theory about outdoor learning
- Practical, curriculum-based activities in the nearby environment
- Integration of Education Outside the Classroom in everyday teaching at the teacher training and high school setting – tour of the campus
- Reflection time
Tuesday – Reading and writing in the Outdoors
- Language education outdoors
- Assesment task explained
- Second language outdoors
- Reflection time
Wednesday EOtC in the Urban Landscape (indoor lesson)
- Bus to the City Lemvig, and teaching at the Harbour
- Teaching at a Museum – different methodologies
- Half day off for own experience
Thursday – EOtC in the great nature
Teaching curriculum at the beach
Tour to the forest and to the North Sea
Friday – Preparation for the assessment (Constitution Day in Denmark)
Each group practices EOtC with the other participants
Assessment and Lunch Goodbye – (possible trip to traditional constitution day celebrations)
Participants
Minimum number: 15 – Max number: 24
Language
English
Dates
1-5 JUNE 2026
Location: VIA University College, Svinget 5 Nørre Nissum, 7620 Lemvig, Denmark
How to travel: Flights to either Billund or Copenhagen – Train to Struer and direct bus no 33 to VIA University College (ask the driver for the stop), 26 minutes
Course Provider: VIA UNIVERSITY AARHUS – OID E10178517– for the Erasmus Beneficiary Module
Cost
COURSE COST: 1000,00 EUROS
IT INCLUDES:
500 € course fee (bus tour to the North Sea included)
500 € full board accomodation at the University Campus in twin room from Sunday evening to Friday lunch – All meals without beverages (Sunday evening sandwich) – one towel is provided, if you need more bring your own. The night of Friday is not included as participants can transfer to the city where they will fly back to their Country.
NOT INCLUDED: train transfers from the airport to Struer – Friday meals and hotel- any optional activity
Info and registration
Open for pre-registration: https://forms.gle/PFpYVM3C8mAegEfa8
For more info write to: infosmartedu4all@gmail.com
Download the brochure: https://www.smartedu4all.it/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/erasmus_udeskole.pdf
Trainers:
PhD, senior lecturer Karen Barfod, main course leader
As Research Leader in VIA, she works with research and development within udeskole, nature kindergartens, external learning environments and teaching outside the classroom. In addition, she teaches basic teacher education in Biology and Nature / Technology as well as Udeskole. Karen is a well-known and often used speaker at conferences, developer and initiator in the field of Education Outside the Classroom, both nationally and internationally. She is head of the Board of the National Udeskole federation. In 2022, she was awarded with the NOVO prize for Science Educators at Teacher Education.
Helga Garne
She is an assistant professor in Physics and Danish at the teacher education. Work within place-based reading and writing in outdoor contexts and uses both nature and cultural places as learning environments.
Simon Ordell Frederiksen
He is an Assistant Professor in English and History at HF in Nørre Nissum and affiliated with the Teacher Education programme in Holstebro. As a member of the research centre VIAOutdoor, he works on integrating the humanities into outdoor learning contexts. His research focuses on developing and examining didactical approaches that enhance students’ academic outcomes and opportunities for participation through outdoor learning environments.
Mikael Skånstrøm
Senior professor in mathematics. Teaches mathematics and writes learning material for the teacher education. Has been working with several European development projects into outdoor learning and subject-related teaching with partners from all around Europe.
Kirsten Bak Andersen
Teaches art and material arts at the teacher education, using the outdoors and outdoor materials as part of the educational process. Is expert in the ‘playfull learning’ project, and has been working with international udeskoleprojects into teacher education.
Rasmus Rasmussen Is an assistant professor in History at the teacher education. Work within both nature and cultural places as learning environments for identity and understanding of own history.
