There are lots of organisations providing online support and resources for great Outdoor Learning. We have selected some websites that the Learning Outdoors Support Team have found particularly helpful. The list is not exhaustive and is a work in progress!
EAC LOST work within the principles of pedagogy of place so that learners engage first with their immediate outdoor environment (the school grounds and local community) and use that learning and those experiences as the foundation for exploration and learning in the wider world. Learners engage in real world issues on their own doorstep and this provides the foundation for learning and deeper understanding of global issues. We have grouped websites accordingly.
For guidance on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and resources for learning and teaching Scottish Outdoor Access Code Education Resources. For teacher CLPL Scottish Outdoor Access Code Interactive Learning
For information on general resources and support for Outdoor Learning in Scotland:
Education Scotland Improvement Hub – Summary of Outdoor Learning Resources links to key documents, policy, rational and professional learning (including SAPOE modules below).
Who is this for? … practitioners from all sectors and also educational decision-makers and leaders.
Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education (SAPOE) is the forum for representatives from Local Authorities across Scotland to consider and debate best practice in the development and safe delivery of Outdoor Learning.
Training in person and online is provided. Online modules include Supporting Learning Outdoors Online Module and a Teaching Learning Outdoors module available on the Education Scotland PLL course site. You need to register to access the site, this can be from a local authority email or glow email: https://professionallearning.education.gov.scot/learn/learning-activities/teaching-learning-outdoors/step-1 Type in the keywords Teaching Learning Outdoors.
There is a bank of SAPOE OL Lesson Plans for teaching across the curriculum.
Outdoor Learning Directory aims to provide a portal to services supporting outdoor learning – including resources, research, events and training, grants.
Learning through Landscapes is a charity dedicated to increasing the use of the outdoors as the setting for great learning. The extensive website has links to LtL teaching resources and evidence and research into the impact of good practice in outdoor learning. See also School Grounds below.
Outdoor and Woodland Learning Scotland (OWLS)
is dedicated to increasing learning in and around woodland. Tried and tested resources and teaching suggestions, and many ‘how to’ guides on practical tasks on the OWLS You Tube Channel.
Click on the links in green to go to pages dedicated to the variety of place contexts for Outdoor Learning
Websites for Support – School Grounds
Websites for Support – Gardens
Websites for Support – Learning in Local Greenspace
Websites for Support – Learning in the Local Built Environment
Websites for Support – Coastal, Seas and Oceans
Websites for Support – Residentials
