Outdoor Connections bulletin: September 2006

Contents

• About Taking Learning Outdoors
• Sharing practice
• Professional development
• News
• Subscription Information

About Taking Learning Outdoors

Taking Learning Outdoors website launched
'In essence, the curriculum must be inclusive, be a stimulus for personal achievement and, through the broadening of pupils’ experience of the world, be an encouragement towards informed and responsible citizenship.' (A Curriculum for Excellence)

The new Taking Learning Outdoors website has now been launched on the Learning and Teaching Scotland online service, full of information, resources and advice on the best ways to explore the outdoor classroom in Scotland.

Visit the About Learning Outdoors section to find out why you should learn outdoors; information on the Outdoor Connections development programme, with programme minutes and research available to download; information and resources on safety in the outdoors; a list of key organisations working in outdoor education in Scotland; and copies of the national documents that guide the provision of outdoor education in this country. Browse the Sharing Practice section to find examples of imaginative outdoor projects going on in schools and early years centres all over Scotland. Visit the Professional Development section for details of training opportunities and outdoor events, as well as a full report of the Outdoor Connections National Conference in February. And keep up to date with developments in outdoor education in our News section.

'Get a life', says Health and Safety Commission
The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has urged people to focus on real risks – those that cause real harm and suffering – and stop concentrating effort on trivial risks and petty health and safety. They believe unnecessary concerns over paperwork and the fear of being sued are being used to cancel school trips and outings. To help change this attitude, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a set of key principles: practical actions that they believe sensible risk management should, and should not, be about.

HSC press release:

BBC news article:

Taking Learning Outdoors safety page:

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Sharing practice

Geocaching with the British Library
The British Library’s new Learning website is devoted to promoting the wonders of the book, and to opening up the mysterious and magical qualities of the Library’s collection. Virtual visitors can browse a treasure trove of fascinating texts and images. The material provides myriad opportunities for personalised learning, individual research projects and classroom activity.

Young Explorers is one project on the site in which young people (14-19) explore creative research activities through geocaching - a sort of high-tech treasure hunt. Using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, along with some intuition and detective skills, geocachers hide and seek small items (caches) at different outdoor locations. Read more about this modern version of orienteering on the Learning website.

Geocaching with the British Library:

British Library Learning website:

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Professional development

SETT: The Scottish Learning Festival 2006
Register online now for this year's Scottish Learning Festival, which will be held on 20-21 September at the SECC in Glasgow so you can come and visit members of the Outdoor Connections advisory group at Stand C58, Cross-Curricular Themes: Supporting A Curriculum for Excellence. Find a full conference programme (including taking learning outdoors seminars) online.

Paths to Health National Networking Event
Paths to Health aims to increase the health and well-being of inactive people in Scotland by promoting the use of paths and routes in local communities and supporting the development of local health walk initiatives. The fourth annual National Networking Event, to be held in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Thursday 21 September, is aimed at everyone with an interest in walking for health. It is an informal opportunity to network with others, share good practice and plan for the future.

For a booking form, contact info@pathsforhealth.org.uk

www.pathsforall.org.uk/index.shtml

Let's make Scotland more interactive! Conference
This conference sees the launch of the Physical Activity and Health Alliance (PAHA), a body set up to support physical activity and health practitioners of Scotland in implementing the Scottish Physical Activity Strategy 'Let's Make Scotland More Active'. The conference, being held at Murrayfield on 31 October, will allow participants to understand the structure and shape the content of the PAHA website; network with others promoting physical activity and health; have an opportunity to exchange information about their work; and inform the future development of PAHA. Speakers include Andy Kerr MSP, Minister for Health and Community Care, Dr Matthew Lowther and Dr Fiona Bull. The conference is aimed at all workers engaged in the physical activity and health agenda in Scotland.

Woods In and Around Towns (WIAT) Conference 2006
This year's WIAT conference title is 'Local Woods, Local People: Health, Learning and Communities' and will explore a range of social benefits that have developed as a result of funding being focused on local woodland. It features a keynote address by Rhona Brankin, Deputy Minister Environment and Rural Development; case studies to share local stories in three sessions representing health, education,and communities; and a lunchtime market place with displays and optional short presentations.

The conference is being held at the Best Western Capital Hotel in Edinburgh on Monday, 2 October. An online booking form is available on the Forestry Commission website.

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News

Bid to broaden youth work appeal
The Scottish Executive has launched a consultation on plans to get more young people involved in activities and youth organisations. The aim of the consultation is to gather a wide range of views on youth work services and opportunities in Scotland, which will inform the national strategy for youth work. Views are particularly being sought from young people aged 11 - 25 years, focussing on the 11 - 18 age group. Views are also being sought from youth work practitioners, volunteers and managers in local authorities and voluntary youth organisations. The consultation period runs until 1 November 2006.

Scottish Executive news release:

Consultation Paper, 'Youthwork: Opportunities for All: A Consultation Paper to Inform A National Youth Strategy:

Learning for Our Future: Scotland's First Action Plan for the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development
The Scottish Executive has published this Action Plan which explains the first wave of actions the Scottish Executive and its partners will be taking over the next five years in support of the global programme to integrate the principles, values, and practices of sustainable development into all aspects of education and learning - the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development - and elaborates on the principles in Choosing our Future: Scotland's Sustainable Development Strategy.

"The Executive is keen to raise the profile and uptake of outdoor education as a whole-school approach which can effectively knit together many of the strands of sustainable development in a rich learning environment. SNH are preparing a web-based directory of sites and Learning and Teaching Scotland have appointed a national development officer to identify and disseminate good practice and encourage authorities to review and enhance provision."

Learning for Our Future action plan:

Cultural Working Group launched
The Cultural Planning and Entitlements Working Group has been set up, as heralded in 'Scotland's Culture', with the strategic task of articulating how local 'cultural entitlements' can best be developed and delivered. Entitlements will be specific activities and opportunities to take part in and enjoy culture, designed to match local people's aspirations. The Working Group will develop guidance for local authorities on cultural planning, good practice, and ways to develop and monitor local entitlements within Community Planning. This will complement the provision that local authorities currently deliver, heightening the profile of cultural activities in ways that hopefully will encourage more people to become involved.

Executive website page:

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