AS Level Physical EducationAS Level Physical Education

Contemporary IssuesContemporary IssuesOutdoor EducationOutdoor Education

ST RICHARD GWYN PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Outdoor EducationOutdoor EducationThe use of the natural environment The use of the natural environment to educateto educatePart of a structured school/college Part of a structured school/college programme in which positive values programme in which positive values are taughtare taught

Outdoor Education belongs under the Outdoor Education belongs under the same umbrella as P.E and therefore same umbrella as P.E and therefore derives the same values.derives the same values.

Physical Health & Skill LearningPhysical Health & Skill LearningPreparation for active leisurePreparation for active leisurePersonal & Social DevelopmentPersonal & Social DevelopmentEnhancement of Quality of lifeEnhancement of Quality of life

PE OE

Outdoor Education is compulsory Outdoor Education is compulsory under the National Curriculum, NC at under the National Curriculum, NC at secondary level, but sadly various secondary level, but sadly various factors impinge on it’s part in the factors impinge on it’s part in the curriculum.curriculum.

These factors are:These factors are:FundingFundingFacilitiesFacilitiesHealth & Safety issuesHealth & Safety issuesSpecialist training Specialist training (required for teachers)(required for teachers)

The Outward Bound TrustThe Outward Bound TrustThe Outward Bound Trust was the 1The Outward Bound Trust was the 1stst organisation in the world dedicated organisation in the world dedicated to children’s development through to children’s development through the natural environment.the natural environment.

Works in partnership with ‘Works in partnership with ‘The Duke The Duke of Edinburgh Award’of Edinburgh Award’ (D of E) (D of E)They both offer a variety of courses They both offer a variety of courses and expeditions.and expeditions.

Real and Perceived RiskReal and Perceived RiskThe element of risk and The element of risk and unpredictability is what distinguishes unpredictability is what distinguishes OE from normal PE. This risk comes OE from normal PE. This risk comes from the environment.from the environment.

Predictable- Under control, use of equipment.

Unpredictable- No Control, avalanche, floods

Perceived Risk- Beginners

Real Risk- Experts

Perceived RiskPerceived RiskSought by teachers to give beginners Sought by teachers to give beginners the opportunity to learn and the opportunity to learn and challenge themselves in situations challenge themselves in situations that appear dangerous. that appear dangerous.

ClimbingClimbingLog walkingLog walking

Real RiskReal RiskPerformed by highly trained/skilled Performed by highly trained/skilled experts who plan routes and pay experts who plan routes and pay particular attention to conditions and particular attention to conditions and weather reports to reduce the risk of weather reports to reduce the risk of expeditions being cancelled due to expeditions being cancelled due to adverse weather conditionsadverse weather conditions

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://users.telenet.be/avalanche/images/avalanche.jpg&imgrefurl=http://users.telenet.be/avalanche/&h=441&w=410&sz=54&tbnid=zR2zU3m3C7AJ:&tbnh=123&tbnw=114&hl=en&start=17&prev=/images%3Fq%3Davalanche%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN

Artificial Facilities Artificial Facilities These can be used to simulate the These can be used to simulate the

natural environmentnatural environmentExamples include:Examples include:

Ski CentresSki CentresSwimming PoolsSwimming PoolsRock Climbing WallsRock Climbing WallsHalf pipe, surfing & skating Half pipe, surfing & skating

Why use artificial facilities?Why use artificial facilities?Cheaper – much cheaper as oppose Cheaper – much cheaper as oppose to arranging a trip to the Swiss alps!!to arranging a trip to the Swiss alps!!Regular – Schools have regular Regular – Schools have regular access to pools e.t.caccess to pools e.t.cUnpredictability reduced – controlled Unpredictability reduced – controlled environmentenvironmentImprove confidence before Improve confidence before attempting more difficult experience.attempting more difficult experience.