1Sagadi 2011

The Nature of Outdoor Education

Asta Tuusti

RMK Sagadi Nature School

2Introduction

HändkakkKassikakk

How to build understanding that humans are part of nature?

How to foster respect and caringfor one’s environment?

How to develop an emotional connection with nature ?

3Outdoor Education model

OE activities Environmental education

OE

Personal and Social development

Human health

SD

Higgins, Loynes 1997;Szczepanski, Nicole 2005

4Kool - haridus

Literacy in natural sciences as a goal

Ability to use knowledge from natural sciences to solve everyday problems, make and justify good decisions.

_______________________________ Holbrook, J.; Rannikmäe,

M. (2007). Nature of Science Education for Enhancing Scientific Literacy. International Journal of Science Education, 29(11), 1347 - 1362.

Natural Science Education

5The concept of nature

Nature – material world; whole universe; environment uninfluenced by human activity; raw materials for artificial environment; research object for nature sciences.

Or perhaps a foreign force, which humans need to be subdued??

Wolf’s milk

6Nature

Cup lichen

7Nature

Hino Lake

8Nature

Selsi mire

9Nature

Great Crested Newt larva

10Nature

Harivesiliku vastne

Edible Frog

11Nature

Harivesiliku vastne

Kingfisher

European Roller

12Nature

Harivesiliku vastneFir cones

13Nature

Harivesiliku vastneKarusammalBlueberry flowers

14Nature?

Sagadi manor

15Loodus?

Ant’s nest

Man and Nature

Ant and Nature?

16Ecology

Scientific knowledge of biosphere’s ecological PROCESSES:

photosynthesis Ecological cycles Soil generation

Valueing and protecting Biological Diversity

Where is the real prototype of nature hiding?

Life began 3.6-3.8 billion yrs ago

If the the length of life on Earth Were 1 hour, then Precambrium – 53 mins.

Paleozoic – 4 mins.

Middle Ages – 2 mins.

Cenozoic – 1 minut, 15 sekHumans, as a species would be 0.002 sek

Humans showed up!

… and changed the world.

http://www.ebu.ee/esitlus/Eluareng.ppt

18

Developed south of the Sahara about 200 000 yrs. ago.

100 000 yrs ago spread to Asia, Indonesia and reached Australia 60 000 yrs ago.

Second emigration 60 000 yrs ago to Asia, from there

40 000 yrs ago to Europe and 20 000 yrs ago to Americas.

Oldest cave paintings in Australia from 50 000 yrs ago.

Homo sapiens – wise man

Cro-Magnon ca. 40 000 yrs ago

19What’s going on?

20Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development – securing a descent environment for present and future generations.

Ecological sustainability

Social-cultural sustainability

Economic sustainability

21Outdoor Education

Principles of Outdoor Education:

Genuine environment Learning by doing First-hand experience Sharing of experience

Mikk Sarv

place, sense, action, story, essence (iva)

The model of ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (ESD)

KNOWLEDGE and

SKILLS

ACTIVITIESchoices, decisions

solutions

BEHAVIOUR

VALUES and

RESPONSIBILITY

EXPERIENCESand

EMOTIONS

23Goals

The Goals of environmental education coincide with those of nature interpretation:

Shaping people who:

value diversity in the environment,

understand the links between man and nature,

act responsibly.

24Principles of environmental education adventursome experiential activity-based problem-centered values and opinions

based optimistic / positive integrated / whole continuity future-oriented

Teacher’s role:Learning guide, advisor,

valuer,of activities, motivator,

providerof choices, mediator of

skills, role model, assessor.

25The aim of games

Games:Help create mental and emotional harmony

with the surrounding nature;Give an understanding of natural processes in

an adventurous and experiential way;Develop sensitivity through direct sense

experience;Shape attitudes and values through positive

emotions.

___________________________________________(Cornell, J. Sharing Nature with Children, 1979)

26Summary

We have not inherited the Earth from our parents, but have borrowed it from ourchildren.

27

Thank you! !

Summary