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Northland College Department of Outdoor Education OED 105 Introduction to Outdoor Education Fall 2005
I. Course Information Instructor: Clayton T. Russell T.A. Matt Austin (1964) Office: Wheeler 326 Office Hours: M, T, W, 10 am-noon Phone: w 682-1491 or h 373-2983 Email: crussell@northland.edu
Class hours: Monday 1:30-4:20 and Wednesday 1:30-3:20 (WH209)
Required Texts: Teaching in the Outdoors, 5th Ed., D. Hammerman, W.Hammerman & E. Hammerman In Accord with Nature, Clifford D. Knapp The Abstract Wild, Jack Turner
Recommended Texts: A Northwoods Companion, John Bates The Outward Bound Wilderness First-Aid Handbook, Jeffery Isaac Soft Paths, Bruce Hampton and David Cole Wilderness Visionaries, Jim Dale Vickery The Sacred Paw, Paul Shepard with Barry Sanders Artic Dreams, Barry Lopez Crossing Open Ground, Barry Lopez The Wilderness Companion, David Backes Teaching in the Field, Edited by Hal Crimmel Listening Point, Sigurd F. Olson Turning to One Another, Margaret Wheatley
II. Statement of Philosophy “There is no nationally standardized outdoor education curriculum and no nationally standardized measure of outdoor education competency or knowledge. Outdoor education programs are sponsored by elementary schools and secondary schools, colleges and universities, youth camps, municipal recreation department and private entrepreneurs. They exist in every geographic location and are administered by people of widely varied backgrounds. There is no single body of outdoor professionals in outdoor education because the field transcends school boundaries into recreation departments, youth serving agencies, conservation organizations, resource management agencies and many other facets of society. As a result, outdoor education is viewed from different perspectives.” “Outdoor Education; Definition and Philosophy”, Phyllis Ford, ERIC #ED267941, 1986.
Suggested Definitions of Outdoor Education
“That which can best be taught inside the school rooms should there be taught, and that which can best be learned through experience dealing directly with native materials and life situations outside the school should there be learned.
“Outdoor education means learning ‘in’ and ‘for’ the outdoors. It is a means of curriculum extension and enrichment through outdoor experiences.”
“…education in, about, and for the out of doors.”
Outdoor education is “an experiential process of learning by doing, which takes place primarily through exposure to the out-of-doors”.
“Outdoor education is education which takes place in the outdoors.”
In a survey of syllabi from around the world, outdoor education includes the following topics: conservation education, environmental education, experiential education, outdoor recreation, nature education, leisure education, natural history, adventure education, wilderness education, adventure tourism, etc, etc, up to 45 different terms.
III. Course Description During this course we will explore and experience the nooks and crannies of the outdoor education field. We will experience a variety of teaching and learning styles; we will work with diverse audiences and explore the north woods first hand. We will work individually and in small groups to complete assignments. We are all learners and teachers bringing our unique experiences, vision and energy to bear upon this exciting and evolving field. In addition to class time we will spend a Fall weekend or part thereof in the field and a weekend at the North woods Audubon Center in Sandstone, MN. The Audubon Center weekend is planned for December 2-4. Attendance is mandatory.
IV. Learner Outcomes/Assessment Strategies 1. Students will be able to articulate the breadth and diversity of the outdoor education field. (in class discussions, mid-term) 2. Students will gain experience preparing lesson plans, teaching in the out of doors and evaluating outdoor instruction. (LNT lesson plans and field instruction) 3. Students will learn, practice, and teach LNT skills in both the backcountry and the front country. (in class discussion, lesson plans, backpack trip and self –evaluation, final exam) 4. Students will be able to write a reflection paper which discusses how their learning will transfer to future situations. (reflection papers due after backpacking trip, after teaching experiences and after the Audubon weekend- a rubric will be provided in class) 5. Students will be able to express their personal responses to this experience in a reflective paper or project. 6. Personal learning goals.
V. Course Assignments 1. Attend class and actively engage in course assignments, discussions, group projects and activities. 100 points 2. Prepare and teach an approved lesson for our field trip and possibly for an outreach education experience. This includes writing up a lesson plan. The format will be provided in class. 100 points. 3. Carve a wooden spoon for midterm. 100 points 4. Prepare two reflection papers. Reflection papers are part of our outreach teaching experience and Audubon Center trip. Each paper should be typed, double spaced, and in a 12 pt. font. All categories should be labeled and addressed completely. A rubric for the reflection papers will be provided in class. 50 points each. 5. Final Reflection Project- Create a project that reflects your personal learning, growth, memories, beliefs, feelings, obligations, etc. that occurred or were reawakened during this class. The project should synthesize information from your own life, teaching experiences, and beliefs about outdoor education and information gained through reading and discussion. The project and its creation should be fun, creative, and have authentic intellectual value. Students will turn in a one page, typed, reflection describing the process of creating, preparing, and presenting this project. Examples may include: a poem, story, skit, game, journal, musical, quilt, etc. Remember be creative! 100 points 6. Mid-term exam and final exam. 50 points each!! The midterm date will be announced in class. Final exam date is Tuesday December 14th, 2-4 pm. There are two parts to the final. Part one is essay and part two is an in the field practical. Your final exam question is, what can we expect effective outdoor education to accomplish? One page of notes will be allowed and must be turned in with your final exam.
VI. Statement on Grading Students and instructors are evaluated through class discussions, exams, community contacts, classroom presentations and participation. Requirements for all assignments will be clearly explained in class. Students will complete a formal instructor evaluation towards the end of class. Late work will not be accepted! Plan accordingly!
VII. Statement on Attendance Students are expected to be present for each class. If you miss class due to illness please contact a classmate, the TA or instructor to catch up on assignments, discussions and content. If you are going to miss class, please phone or email the instructor or TA before hand. Early warning notices are mailed on the basis of missed classes.
VII. Course Fee Your course fee is used to cover travel, pay speakers, housing, meals, equipment rental, permits, or registrations. Unused portions will be credited to your Northland account.
Note: Individuals who have a disability, either permanent or temporary, which might affect your ability to perform in this class, are encouraged to inform the instructor. Adaptation of methods, materials, or testing may be made as required to provide for equitable participation. Students in need of academic or medical accommodation should contact Judi Holevatz, R.N. at extension 1340, room 206 in the Ponzio Student Center.
Web sites of Interest to Outdoor Educators: A beginning list: www.acorn-group.com/search.htm http://www.americanrivers.org/site/PageServer www.open-canoe.de/ellice/index.html www.environmentaldirectory.net
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