Outdoor Connections bulletin: Issue 2, March 2006

This newsletter aims to meet the needs of a very broad audience. As such the format is short tasters with web links to other sources for more information. There is something new and relevant for everyone; however, many will also be familiar with some of the contents. That has been the challenge of making connections and connecting people through this newsletter. Please forward to colleagues. Browse away... 
 

Contents

• National Outdoor Education Conference, 7 February, Dundee
• Integrated Curriculum Outdoors
• Inclusive Outdoor Education
• Recognising Achievement
• Early Years Education
• Health Education
• Research
• Safety
• Funding
• Events
• Outdoor Connections Development Programme
• Development Officer Outdoor Education
• Subscription Information

National Outdoor Education Conference, 7 February, Dundee

'We need to encourage this generation, perhaps more than any previous one, to acquire the environmental awareness and citizenship that is instilled through exploration of the natural environment in childhood.'

Bernard McLeary, Chief Executive, Learning and Teaching Scotland

The next newsletter in May will have links to all the presentations and speeches.

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Integrated Curriculum Outdoors

A Curriculum for Excellence

This sets out the Scottish Executive's vision for transforming Scottish education. It seeks to establish the values, purposes and principles of education in Scotland for children between the ages of 3 and 18.

The Register of Interest is a key tool for engaging with members of the profession and other interest groups in the development and implementation of A Curriculum for Excellence.

Organisations that have registered an interest will have the opportunity to participate in the review process in a number of ways. There is the possibility that representatives will be invited to take part in focus groups and is it likely that organisations on the Register of Interest will be invited to look at and comment on future materials.

Choosing Our Future: Scotland's Sustainable Development Strategy

We are facing major and unprecedented challenges to moderate our previously unsustainable patterns of development. Climate change is the most urgent and pressing example of this. Scotland will not be able to meet these challenges unless people – whatever their age, status, occupation and lifestyle – have the necessary knowledge, awareness, understanding and skills to play their part.

The initial focus in Scotland will be on schools-based education and the Minister for Education and Young People announced what would happen in this area in June 2005:

We want to see a Scotland where:

• Learning for sustainable development is a core function of the formal education system.

Making the Difference: Enterprise in Education

A newly produced short leaflet for parents explaining enterprise in education and highlighting how they can make a difference by encouraging their child to be enterprising at school or in the outdoors.

HMIE Improving Scottish Education: A report by HMIE on inspection and review 2002-2005

Improving Scottish Education comments on the quality of provision across all sectors and offers: a commentary by HM Senior Chief Inspector; a section with six summarising reports, each focusing on one of the sectors of education; a section summarising and commenting on some of the major themes and issues arising from the sector reports and other HMIE reports; and a final short section commenting on aspects which have led to overall improvement and indicating the focus of HMIE activities in the next few years.

Integrated Children’s Services

The Scottish Executive Education Department has published 'Exploring the evidence base for Integrated Children's Services'. This report covers a review that was undertaken to inform consideration of evidence requirements for integrated community schooling policy. The rationale of ICS policy was that in order to improve the educational outcomes for children and tackle the opportunity gap, a more holistic approach to children’s needs was required. Realisation of this new approach required professionals from different departments and agencies to work more closely to plan and deliver high-quality services.

SEED has also produced 'Improving Outcomes for Children and Young People: the role of schools in delivering integrated children's services'. This pamphlet for local authorities and schools aims to clarify their roles in integrated services in the context of the vision of A Curriculum for Excellence. It outlines the experience of integrated working so far and current developments aimed at improving integrated children's services.

Missing Out

HMIE report on children at risk of missing out on educational opportunities

Recommendations on flexible curricular approaches, early identification, and effective partnerships to raise confidence and achievement. These recommendations are very relevant to much outdoor education in Scotland.

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Inclusive Outdoor Education

'For years there has been a growing sense of frustration that for some pupils there has been too little time in the formal curriculum for personal and social development of a more active nature. Moves towards curriculum flexibility offer the chance to build in alternative, powerful learning experiences, so why not explore the potential of outdoor education within a pupil support context?'

Depute Head, Robin Illsley

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Recognising Achievement

Core Skills + Outdoor Education = SQA Certification

Have you ever considered the outdoor education activities your students do and wondered why they didn't count towards some sort of qualification?

Why not have a look at the SQA's Core Skills unit specifications for Working with Others and see if some of your activities could be used as evidence for this qualification?

New Scottish Progression Award in Rural Skills

The SQA recently launched a Scottish Progression Award in Rural Skills at Intermediate 2. This is an introductory award which will provide candidates with knowledge of the rural sector and the basic practical skills needed to work in rural industries.

Induction Guide for SQA Coordinators

A number of outdoor centres and services independent of schools are SQA centres offering validated awards to young people. This new SQA Coordinators' guide will give you some contacts and a feel for what is involved.

The SQA has recently updated the 'Induction Guide for SQA Coordinators'. It is not meant to be an exhaustive reference work, but it will direct you to useful sources of information, including SQA staff who are on hand to assist you.

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Early Years Education

Insight 28: Early Years Education: Perspectives from a Review of the International Literature

This review covers questions such as: What is it about play that is important for early years education in Scotland? It also reflects on pedagogy that may provide insights to the processes outdoor educators use with other ages.

Learning to take risks outdoors?

Clearly we need to protect children from harm; however, with the current risk management model we will always find another hazard to control, often stifling quality learning in the process. At some point we have to bring benefit into the equation and decide if the benefit to children is worth a small risk.

By making something that is extremely safe already even safer are we actually exposing 3–5-year-olds to greater risk in later life?

Relevant to all ages not just under-5s!

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Health Education

Health Promoting Schools

Within a health promoting school, opportunities to learn outdoors and to interact with the natural world are vital contributors to a whole school approach to health. Education in the outdoors can involve working with others, practising new skills, undertaking practical conservation and influencing society. Outdoor learning can include: knowledge and understanding; attitudes and feelings; values and beliefs; actions and behaviours; personal and social development, all part of the characteristics of a health promoting school.

Progress towards the recommendations of the Physical Education Review Group

Outdoor education is a widely recognised and valued component of a rounded and rich educational experience and it is clear that it provides a very important setting for young people to discover more about themselves and to engage physically with their environment. Early experience of the outdoors can encourage young people to develop a lifelong active interest in outdoor opportunities and pursuits.

Mental Health

The Executive's National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Well-being launched its new website. It aims to raise awareness and understanding, and promote sharing of information, knowledge, research, and training in mental health improvement not only amongst mental health professionals but also with policy makers, the media, local government, businesses, the voluntary sector, the general public, people experiencing mental health problems and, of course, outdoor educators.

Woods for Learning Education Strategy: Forestry Commission Scotland

Objectives:

• Increase the use of forests in education by promoting local woods for learning.
  
• Work with priority school age groups.
  
• Provide opportunities for education professionals to use woods for learning.
  
• Increase the recognition of woods as learning resources.

Apple Google Earth

The Macintosh beta of the amazing Google Earth is now available for download. Fly from space right into your own neighbourhood or begin by typing an address, then zoom right in on landscape features, schools, parks, restaurants, and hotels. Tilt and rotate the view to see 3D terrain and buildings and annotate, save and share your searches and favourites.

Gipsy Moth: window on the world, making waves on an historic journey

Gipsy Moth IV's second historic circumnavigation is under way – this time with UK secondary school students on board. An English education pack is available free to order from the website.

The Critical Skills Programme Experiential Learning Cycle

'At the heart of the Critical Skills classroom is the experiential learning cycle which:

• engages pupils in collaborative, complex problem-solving activities that link to the real world
  
• promotes assessment for learning by encouraging pupils to reflect on their learning
  
• caters effectively for different learning styles and multiple intelligences
  
• promotes better understanding of subject content by enabling pupils to construct individual meaning from their experiences.'

Sound familiar to outdoor educators? Take a look at:

Current research updates on the Teaching and Learning process

Don’s Blog

Theory into practice “What a wonderful contribution the East Lothian Educational Psychology Service have made to this website through Everything you wanted to know abut teaching and learning....and more - particularly the most recent posting on schools as Effective learning environments.” So much, so accessible and all in one place, thank you.

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Research

Climate Change Research

Initial findings from research into the changes in climate over the last 40 years in Scotland show that temperatures have increased in every season and in all parts of Scotland since 1961, and that in the North and West, rainfall has increased by almost 60 per cent in the winter months.

A Child’s Place: why environment matters to children

'Tackling children’s quality of life issues and environmental sustainability together can improve quality of life for everyone now, as well as in the future.'

'Quality of Life and Well-being: Measuring the benefits of culture and sport'

In March 2005 the Scottish Executive commissioned the Centre for Cultural Policy Research to undertake research to define 'quality of life' (QOL) in the context of culture, arts and sport and explore ways in which the impact on QOL and sense of well-being through participation in cultural or sport interventions can be identified and measured, both in social and economic terms. This was to be achieved through both a literature review and a 'think-piece'. This literature review highlights a range of issues for defining and measuring QOL in relation to culture and sport.

Changing Minds: The Lasting Impact of School Trips

‘We looked at whether school children’s learning about their local environment would influence the way they treat it. We found that not only was this the case, but high quality out-of-classroom learning also influenced how children behave and the lifestyle choices they make. It shows the potential for schools trips not just to change children’s lives, but the lives of whole communities.’

Dr Alan Peacock, Exeter University

Obesity

The latest Obesity Statistics were released on 12 December 2005. There is continued concern over the levels of obesity among children in Scotland. Being overweight or obese during childhood is a health concern in itself, but can also lead to physical and mental health problems in later life, such as heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, back pain, low self-esteem and depression.

Scottish education research planned for 2006

Increasingly, the importance of research is recognised as providing a sound evidence base to inform decisions and directions in education. A number of research initiatives in 2006 related to outdoor learning will be helpful in this process. Your involvement in these projects will be invaluable.

• Teachers' approaches and attitudes to engaging with the natural heritage through the curriculum – Scottish Natural Heritage
  
• Local authority practice and policy for promoting and supporting the natural heritage in the formal sector – Scottish Natural Heritage
  
• Physical activity and movement in the early years – LT Scotland
  
• How young people's achievements are recognised for the outcomes gained through outdoor education – Outdoor Connections
  
• Young people's views and opinions of outdoor education – Outdoor Connections
  
• Current state of outdoor education in Scotland – Outdoor Connections
  
• Outdoor Education providers in Scotland – Outdoor Connections

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Safety

Brenscombe Outdoor Centre canoe swamping

Report on the investigation of the Brenscombe Outdoor Centre canoe swamping accident in Poole Harbour, Dorset, on 6 April 2005. Report no. 22/2005. Published 2 December 2005.

Health and Safety Executive summary of the risk in education debate forums

'People need to have attitudes and attributes that enable them to function in a risky and uncertain world – some contributors wondered just how much it is a right to be kept "safe" when we know the world is, and always has been, inherently "unsafe"? Continuing to expose children to managed risk through play, adventurous activities and the like, is one way to promote a personal responsibility for understanding risk.'

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Funding

Involving People in the Natural Heritage

This grant scheme is administered by Scottish Natural Heritage. It aims to raise awareness and understanding of natural heritage; to increase opportunities for children, young people and adults to actively learn and care about Scotland’s natural heritage through first-hand experience; and to encourage more communities and individuals to get involved in looking after the natural heritage. Applications for less than £10,000 can be submitted at any time. Larger bids should be submitted by 15 April 2006.

Sustainable Action Grants 2006–07 to 2008–09

The Executive is now inviting applications for Sustainable Action Grants for projects which will help further the objectives of 'Choosing our Future – Scotland's Sustainable Development Strategy', by making a contribution towards one or more of the following: Sustainable consumption and production, Climate change and energy, Natural resource protection and environmental enhancement, Sustainable communities and Learning for sustainable development.

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Events

Grounds for Learning opportunities

National conference – Friday 19 May 2006

School Grounds Foundation course – Thursday 23 February 2006

GfL Facilitator Accreditation – Thursday 20 April 2006

Outdoor Classroom – 6, 17, 27 March, 25, 28 April, 4, 25, 27 May

‘Would You Credit It?’
Recognising Young People’s Achievement Conference 2006

23 February, Edinburgh – This one-day conference is aimed at all those interested in learning more about recent developments in the recognition and accreditation of young people’s achievements. The event will focus on Youth Scotland’s Youth Achievement and Dynamic Youth Awards, and will feature a keynote address from Robert Brown MSP, Minister for Education and Young People. Delegates will be able to choose from 15 workshop sessions delivered by practitioners from across the UK.

Leading Edge Workshop, Scottish Natural Heritage – 2 March 2006, Battleby

A recent SNH study on public awareness and attitudes to the natural heritage identified that we need to concentrate our efforts on increasing people’s understanding of the human impact on biodiversity, sustainability, landscape, marine environments and protected areas. This year’s workshop for environmental education practitioners will be an opportunity to uncover inspirational key messages that people can relate to.

Outdoor Connections National 'Over the doorstep' Event 2007

Watch this space!

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Outdoor Connections Development Programme

In late 2004 the Minister for Education and Young People, Peter Peacock, requested that a development programme on outdoor education should be taken forward. SEED invited LT Scotland to undertake this task.

The development programme, Outdoor Connections, is designed to make outdoor connections across a range of current and emerging education priorities and policies, such as A Curriculum for Excellence, Health Promoting Schools, Active Schools, Determined to Succeed, Education for Citizenship and Education for Sustainable Development. In addition to making connections between policy, programmes and people, year 1 will develop research into the current state of outdoor education in Scotland and year 2 will develop and disseminate resources.

The aim is to continue to improve the quality of learning experiences through various and diverse outdoor programmes and approaches and to secure a sustainable status for outdoor education as part of overall education and lifelong learning provision.

The two-year programme is sponsored by the Scottish Executive Education Department (SEED). It will be implemented by a Development Officer based at and managed by Learning and Teaching Scotland and supported by a Management Group of SEED, LT Scotland and HMIE and a Programme Advisory Group. The Advisory Group represents a range of interests from local authority, voluntary and commercial outdoor education providers, teachers, education directorate, higher education institutions, the Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education and the Institute for Outdoor Learning.

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Development Officer Outdoor Education

In September 2005, Willie White was seconded by LT Scotland to the Development Officer post for 23 months. He was the Physical Activity Development Officer in East Ayrshire Council Education Department, having previously worked in its Outdoor Education Service and a number of Strathclyde Outdoor Education Centres.

Contact:

Willie White
Development Officer Outdoor Education
Learning and Teaching Scotland
tel: 0141 282 5167
mobile: 07790 485 443
email: w.white@LTScotland.org.uk

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Subscription Information

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