Outdoor Education : Methods and Strategies

Delving into the art of outdoor education, this resource empowers aspiring educators with practical tools for crafting engaging, environment-specific lessons. It highlights developmental theories, varied teaching methods, and hands-on case studies to foster enriching, nature-based learning experiences.

Outdoor Education: Methods and Strategies, Second Edition, provides all the necessary information and tools for teaching outdoor education. Future educators will learn how to create optimal learning opportunities in outdoor environments, how to design effective lessons, and how to identify and use the methods that are best for the place and the participants. These teaching methods apply to a variety of organizations, including schools, nature centers, adventure centers, camps, environmental learning centers, government agencies, and universities.

Outdoor Education: Methods and Strategies, Second Edition, is divided into three parts. Part I defines what outdoor education is and details the professional expectations for an outdoor educator. It also explores theories that support outdoor education, including developmental stages, learning stages, and constructivism. Part II guides the reader to understand the backgrounds and abilities of participants, create a successful learning environment, teach effectively in a variety of settings, and design lesson plans. Part III examines the uses of physical, cognitive, and affective methods for teaching, and it includes sample lesson plans that illustrate the methods presented. These chapters help students reflect on, evaluate, and improve their lesson plans through experimentation.

Presented by authors with a combined 150 years of experience in the field, the methods and strategies in this book have been tested and proven to work in a variety of outdoor settings. This second edition covers theories such as scaffolding, brain-based learning, Erik Erikson’s eight stages of development as applied to outdoor education, playful learning, and nature play as well as the use of technology in outdoor education. This text supplements theory with tools to support practical application:

• Easy-to-use forms for designing, implementing, and evaluating outdoor lesson plans
• Nine sample lesson plans offering detailed instructions and representing a variety of settings for different age groups and abilities
• Updated Stories From Real Life case studies that illustrate how methods are applied in the real world
• Explore Your World sidebars prompting students to reflect on their own experiences and goals
• Tips and Techniques sidebars offering brief and actionable advice for educators
• New Professional’s Perspective sidebars featuring insights from real practitioners about core content and topics in the book

Students will also find a number of learning aids-including chapter objectives, review questions, and a glossary-to enhance knowledge retention.

Outdoor Education: Methods and Strategies, Second Edition, will help aspiring educators enhance their audience’s awareness, appreciation, and knowledge of the outdoors. Ultimately, it will advance their ability to increase people’s enjoyment and understanding of the environment.