Outdoor Journeys

Simon Beames

This presentation outlines a pedagogical approach to learning outside the classroom that is informed by a recent critical review of outdoor education literature.  The programme, called Outdoor Journeys, can be considered in three phases that are negotiated between the pupils and their classroom teacher.  First, Questioning involves pupils exploring their neighbourhoods and posing questions about the story of the land.  Second, Researching enables groups of pupils to examine a topic of common interest (e.g. trees, stone walls) through books, the internet, or by interviewing people.  Finally, Sharing involves pupils sharing what they learned with their classmates and other members of the community, using writing, performance, video, and art.  These three phases can exist in a perpetual spiral, as pupils embark on subsequent journeys to different, nearby places.  For more information, visit www.outdoorjourneys.org.uk

Simon Beames
University of Edinburgh
Scotland
Tel: 0131 651 6522
Email: simon.beames@ed.ac.uk