Tuesday 21st March

Technology used in Outdoor Learning

Today, was a cold and miserable day and it was our luck that today was focused on Outdoor Learning. As the snow caused travel problems and caused havoc to people arriving for today’s workshop we stayed strong; wrapped up and embraced the cold. Today was a very beneficial day and I learned a lot and how interactive and more beneficial learning is when we go out and about.

There is a quote we were shown in the lecture which sums my beliefs about outdoor learning with the use of technology, to which I really agree with and shows the major advantages of technology outdoor learning can have to pupils of a class:

“Outdoor learning experiences are often remembered for a lifetime. Integrating learning and outdoor experiences, whether through play in the immediate grounds or adventures further afield, provides relevance and depth to the curriculum in ways that are difficult to achieve indoors.”

Curriculum for Excellence Through Outdoor Learning (2010). P.5

We then spoke about the days tasks and three apps we would be using on the iPads to enhance the outdoor learning. The three apps we used were:

• Photo Booth

• Pic Collage

• QR reader (we did this one inside due to weather)

As the attached copy of all the tasks show just how interesting the lesson can be made with the use of technology outdoors. We as a group found it extremely beneficial to be outside learning. We used our problem solving skills for a lot of the activities especially the QR code one which can be made into any activity for the children, the ideas are endless which is fantastic. We also used our analytic and problem solving skills for the times tables activities and all the different things we could use to represent the ‘two times’ tables.

Here are the activities we came up for some of the outdoor learning tasks using technology:

As you can see we used our creative and imagination skills. Our skills in this area have developed and are now more creative thanks to the use of digital technology outdoors.

• Picture 1 shows the different leaves we found and how we did not know that some of these leaves existed. Our general knowledge has now widened.
• Picture 2 shows that we got creative by using ourselves to make words which also links to health and wellbeing as some of those stretches was like being in a P.E. lesson. We also used natural materials to once again spell words out in a fun way, which links to a literacy lesson.
• Picture 3 shows the different landscapes and materials found in these landscapes. This could lead down the road of an environment health topic work outcome from the CfE documentation.
• Picture 4 shows the use of the mirror app on the iPad showing what exact symmetry looks like. This could be a good lesson for mathematics in the CfE documentation, on symmetry or exact lines of symmetry in a more interesting way than always looking at shapes in a classroom setting. In encourages more pro-active and engaging learning.
• Picture 5 shows the number of things we used for using different materials to show the ‘two times’ tables. This is another good mathematics lesson in a fun an interesting way.

To relate back to the quote about how outdoor learning enhances leaning and is never forgotten could not be truer. I learned things today that I am extremely surprised at. Most importantly, I learned in a fun way and will never forget the good times we spent outside. I can actively engage and encourage that using outdoors with technology is a great tool for getting children to learn effectively.

As you can see from all the above posted pictures our group got very creative and used our imagination. This was thanks to taking the learning outside and using such technology devices as the iPad …”it [encourages] imagination. For example, there apps for drawing, editing photos, creating movies, eBooks, animations and photo stories, composing music, writing graphical novels and many other useful creative apps.” (Andrews, D. 2012, P.2) This journalist also raised an insightful advantage that I had not thought of when using digital devices: “many of these apps have the option to publish work to larger audiences online, increasing the incentive for children to produce quality pieces of work.” (Andrews, D. 2012, P.2)  I can actually relate to this, as, when we created our animation of the internet safety, a person in our group made it very clear that it was going to be uploaded to YouTube right from the start. This made us more critical and imaginative when coming up with the ideas. As it was going to be public we wanted to do the best we could do. If this worked with young adults like ourselves, then it will surely work with young children.

The advantages that can be posed with using outdoor learning that stood out for me and that I think are the most relevant towards I believe to be the main advantages towards outdoor learning with the use of technology are:

• It develops critical thinking skills which can help children to make links between other curricular areas.
• It encourages personal development such as learning the skills in areas such as communication, problem solving and working with others.
• It promotes healthy lifestyles which can lead to lifelong ambitions/interests in new activities. For example, because of outdoor learning some children may begin to become interested in: hill walking; cycling; skiing or sailing etc. Outdoor learning could plant a seed for a child on what they want to do as they develop and grow through life.
• It can promote personal safety as the children get the opportunity to see the real world and the dangers that can be associated with being outside. They begin to develop the skills of knowing what is good about being outside and they begin to manage risks as they understand what is bad about outside. For example, the children will become aware of the dangers of nature and that all plant-life is not friendly and safe. Without the children actually experiencing and learning for themselves, they will not know how to be safe outside. Outdoor learning stops this and develops their knowledge and critical skills so they know what is safe and what is not.
• And lastly, a big advantage is it can provide inclusion for all. This meaning it can provide opportunities for children to use skills and abilities not always visible to other pupils or the teacher. The children have a new environment where they can show off their skills and abilities as they are in a different environment. For example, a child who is quiet inside the classroom may adopt the role pf team leader when outdoor learning is used as this is what really interests them. It is about using different learning and teaching environments to get the children to be the best they can be and outdoor learning allows this.

As you can see from above five advantages, which of course are not extensive, outdoor learning has some major advantages. A quote that summarises the above information well is:

“…it’s clear that the outdoor environment offers motivating, exciting, different, relevant and easily accessible activities from pre-school years through to college.”

Curriculum for Excellence Through Outdoor Learning (2010). P.3.

Another major advantage of living in Scotland is our beautiful scenery in which we should be embracing, not taking it for granted. As said: “learning outdoors can be enjoyable, creative, challenging and helps children and young people learn by experience and grow confident and responsible citizens who value and appreciate the spectacular landscapes, natural heritage and culture of Scotland.”

Curriculum for Excellence Through Outdoor Learning (2010) P.5

What an insightful and fun day, hopefully all teachers including myself will use outdoor learning with technology more effectively and frequently!

Until the final week,

Christopher.

References:

Scottish Government (2010) Curriculum for Excellence Through Outdoor Learning document. [Online] Available:http://www.outdoor-learning.org/Portals/0/Region%20Documents/Scotland/14.5.2010.cfeoutdoorlearning.pdf [Accessed: 21 March 2017]

Andrews, D. (2012) An Apple for the Teacher: are iPads the Future in Class? [Online] Available: https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2012/aug/13/schools-secondary-schools [Accessed: 21 March 2017]