Professional Practice in Outdoor Education (P01109)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : EDU-P-ED0562

The purpose of this course is to provide outdoor educators working within a changing professional context with an overview of the aims, philosophies and practice of Outdoor Education. By encouraging curiosity and critical analysis it will uncover a range of theoretical assumptions about the world at large and the consequences for the practice of outdoor education.

The management of groups in the outdoors to satisfy curricular and other programmes of education will be considered along with the attendant 'duty of care', safety and access issues.

A broad perspective will be taken to allow consideration of Outdoor Education in its many guises: outdoor activities, outdoor pursuits, adventure education, experiential education, environmental education, outdoor management development etc. Throughout there will be a focus on the importance of a philosophical approaches which lead to critical reflection on the issues arising from the course.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : No prior requirements. One of the early (Semester 1) courses in the programme

? Costs : No additional charge

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Education, (The Moray House School of Education, Schedule C)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 20 hour(s) per week for 1 weeks

? Additional Class Information : Visiting dates w/b 13 Nov.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course students will:
1. understand aspects of the development of Outdoor Education and some of the educational and philosophical ideas which have shaped its progress;
2. be aware of ontological and epistemological assumptions underlying the practice of Outdoor Education;
3. understand the implications of theses assumptions so that the student can offer a critical but formative view on the theory, practice and research of Outdoor Education
4. be aware of recent curricular and non-curricular developments in outdoor education provision;
5. understand aspects of the legal rights and responsibilities of outdoor educators (Health and Safety legislation, access to land and water etc);
6. be able to use evaluation strategies and techniques available with particular reference to outdoor risk management (safety auditing);
7. be aware of the wide range of providers (curricular, charitable, commercial) and user groups of Outdoor Education and of their particular characteristics;
8. be able to analyse research materials (publications, case studies, etc) which investigate the impact of Outdoor Education on physical, emotional, aesthetic and personal and social development.