Taking Learning Outdoors

Outdoor Learning Conference 2009

Learning and Teaching Scotland hosted a residential conference on outdoor learning at the Crieff Hydro Hotel from on 27 April and 28 April 2009. The conference objectives were:

  1. To demonstrate how outdoor learning can contribute to progression in, and development through, the 3-18 experiences and outcomes of Curriculum for Excellence.

  2. To develop new and stronger partnerships between outdoor organisations, providers, local authorities and school communities, and to provide opportunities for delegates to feed into and engage in capacity building.

  3. To showcase national support, and signpost opportunities for local authorities and schools to offer motivating, exciting, different and relevant outdoor learning activities by exploring solutions to issues and barriers that prevent children and young people from gaining educational outdoor experiences.

  4. To provide common and consistent messages on outdoor learning within Curriculum for Excellence to all education authorities.

Outdoor learning is an area in which Scotland has traditionally led the way. The conference confirmed and build further upon that position within the vehicle of Curriculum for Excellence.

Workshops and speakers

There were over 50 exhibitors in the marketplace and over 50 different presenters and contributors to the workshop programme. The workshops ranged across a number of topics including enabling outdoor learning, quality and standards in outdoor learning and using outdoor learning to contribute to programmes of inclusion.