Case Forest in Estonia

Yundola, 16-th of June 2010

Asta Tuusti, Krista KeedusRMK Sagadi Forest Centre

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Participants

Estonian Forest Industries Association

Estonian Biology and Geography Teachers' Association

State Forest Management Centre, Sagadi Nature School

Introduction

Why Case Forest?

CF methodology supports innovation in educational system.

Using digital tools and digital learning objects improve equal opportunities for all target groups in education.

CF project supports achievement of aims of education for sustainable development.

Problems

Some teachers, who are interested in outdoor education, are against increasing use of internet in teaching.

Estonian state curriculum supports inquiry learning, but sometimes school management is too rigid and does not afford long-term learning projects.

Some teachers do not trust the new open methods.

Problems

There is lack of relevant digital learning objects and design of these objects takes lot of resources and technical equipment.

There is an extra need of modern research equipment for student groups.

Time and financial resources for travelling to museums/nature centers are limited.

But we will overcome these problems, because the Case Forest methodology gives us so wide range of new opportunities!

Possibilities

CF methodology develops cooperation between formal education system (schools) and informal education (museums, nature education centers, enterprises).

RMK Nature Centers and Environmental Education Department of Environmental Board are interested in using of CF methodology.

Possibilities

CF methodology supports cross-curriculum theme “Environment and Sustainable Development”.

Estonian new state curriculum emphasizes the use of inquiry learning in science subjects (biology, geography etc).

Results

Teachers’ manual 3 seminars for teachers Seminars for students 5 project applications Physical equipment Design of learning objects

Dissemination

Case Forest – we can learn sustainable development through exploring the forest – Environmental Education Newspaper, August 2009.

. Case Forest project – symbiosis of „Tiger Leap“ and outdoor education – “Biology on the Developing Educational Landscape”, January 2010.

Case Forest project – symbiosis of „Tiger Leap“ and outdoor education –RMK’s magazine „Forester“, Volume 5, November/December 2009

3 articles, conference presentation, www.koolielu.ee, www.lemill.ee

Case Forest project is over?

Estonian partners are interested in developing CF methodology.

RMK Sagadi Forest Centre has written applications to UNESCO foundation and Environmental Investments Centre of Estonia (KIK) to get resources for teacher-courses and students’ camp-schools for development and testing the CF methodology.

New exhibition in Forest Museum + digital learning objects at our new web page.

Future

In autumn 2010 there will

be course for environmental education specialists of Estonian Environmental Board.

Cooperation with Tartu University and Tallinn University to develop inquiry learning and mobile-learning.

Founding of Ministry of Education for teachers training courses about inquiry learning.

Future

Pinus longaeva

Thank you!