Webinar Series
Introduction To Outdoor Learning
Incorporating outdoor learning has never been more important to a student's overall wellbeing than it is today. Outdoor learning:
- Provides hands-on experiences where students learn by using their senses
- Helps children be healthier and happier, leading to better academic performance
- Improves attention and memory, elevates moods, decreases stress and anxiety, increases physical activity and reduces screen time
Nature teaches many lessons. Use the outdoors to help your students learn math, science, language, art and more. Join Dana Eldon, Outreach Coordinator and outdoor learning expert as she
leads you through this 4 week online course that includes a one-hour webinar
and completion of one task per week.
Module 1: Benefits and Methods of Learning in an Outdoor Setting
Outdoor experiential education is more than just curriculum learning. It is immersive and hands-on and provides many benefits (education for environment, character, and well being) for children and educators in taking learning outside. Discover how outdoor settings can be used as the backdrop or source for student learning and how to strike a balance between traditional in-class and outdoor learning.
Module 2: Preparing for Outdoor Learning & Risk Management
Learn how to establish routines, guidelines and expectations for behaviour and outdoor learning. Determine when and how much time outside is ideal and what materials are needed to run successful activities. Understand how to manage risk - what to look for and how to mitigate it to keep the learning environment safe for everyone.
Module 3: How to Teach a Variety of Subjects Outdoors
Discover how to use broad themes or topics, like trees, to teach a variety of subjects and skills. Learn how to create learning opportunities that drive student inquiries and how to use these inquiries to lead to other activities within a particular subject area.
Module 4: Outdoor Learning Activities & Games
Using fun and engaging activities or games can kick off a lesson and grab the attention of your learners. They can also be used to culminate a lesson or help to practice and reinforce learning. Games and hands-on activities can help students understand abstract concepts and make them tangible and relevant.
Who is this course for?
- Education Professionals
- Pre-service teacher candidates
- Day care providers
- Homeschoolers
What will I learn?
In this course, you will:
- Discover the benefits of moving learning to an outdoor space
- Understand how to plan and deliver effective outdoor lessons across a variety of themes and subject areas
- Gain confidence in managing children in an outdoor setting
- Learn about managing risk in outdoor learning spaces
What equipment do I need?
Access to:
- Zoom for webinars
- Google Classroom
- Associated apps:
- Google survey
- FlipGrid
- Jamboard
Optional: Teacher Resource kits have been developed as outdoor learning starter kits to assist teachers interested in using outdoor spaces to augment their classroom teaching. Items in the kits have been specifically chosen to provide a wide range of uses and are available for purchase for an additional $35+ HST if they are ordered prior to session start date. Although not required, teacher resources kits are highly recommended. Register and order yours today.
Sessions
4-week online course
- Session 1: July 20 to August 14 Session fully booked
- Session 2: August 3 to August 28 Session fully booked
For more information, contact education@LSRCA.on.ca
Additional Information
Sessions are booked in advance.
- Minimum registration of 10 participants must be met for the program to run.
- Each session includes a weekly live webinar that will also be recorded for those who cannot join live.
- Participants will also complete one task for each of the 4 modules that they will post into the Google classroom.
- Certificate of Completion will be provided at end of course.
