›“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 document 2010.

In today’s class we explored different apps on the iPad that could be used to create activities for outdoor learning. This allowed us to make links between outdoor learning and Curriculum for Excellence experiences and outcomes. We carried out three different tasks using three different apps: Photo Booth, Pic Collage and QR Reader. The first task using Photo Booth involved us selecting the mirror camera option and taking pictures of landscapes, animals, natural objects and creating a symmetrical pattern with these images. We also used the Photo Booth app with the thermal camera option selected to take photos of minibeasts and look and discuss the core temperature. The Pic Collage app is also a great app to use for outdoor learning as there are so many activities that could be carried out with this app. For example, one of the activities we did involved us finding 5 different types of leaves, taking a photograph of it, putting all of the photos in a collage and labelling them. The final task that we carried out was using the QR Reader app. This activity was a Red Nose Day based ‘treasure hunt’, we had to scan the QR codes when we located the them. The code would be a question and if the correct answer for each question was selected it would then create a word related to Red Nose Day. These are all enjoyable and engaging activities that can be easily altered to suit the curricular activity that you want to focus on.

After today’s class and through reading the Curriculum for Excellence Through Outdoor Learning document 2010 I have realised there are many advantages of outdoor learning.It develops critical thinking skills therefore helping children to make links between other curricular areas. It involves children’s learning skills in areas such as communication, problem solving and working with others therefore improving their personal development. Outdoor learning promotes healthy lifestyles and can lead to lifelong recreation, such as hill walking, cycling, skiing or sailing. Furthermore, it can provide opportunities for children to develop skills to assess and manage risks. The most important factor is that it provides inclusion for all as it provides opportunities for children to use a range of skills and abilities that are not always visible in the classroom. This is because everyone’s talents lie in different areas and outdoor learning provides the opportunity for those that are not as confident in curricular areas such as maths to show their talent outside the classroom.