New outcomes-focused guide for staff leading High Quality Outdoor Learning.
A new guidance document gives teachers and practitioners an easy to use, outcomes-based framework for planning and assessing high quality outdoor learning.
The document, High Quality Outdoor Learning: A Guide for Educational Settings is aimed at staff leading outdoor learning at educational settings including schools, nurseries, forest schools, alternative provision, pupil referral units, and colleges. Produced by the Institute for Outdoor Learning and launched at its annual conference on Global Outdoor Learning Day (21 November), this version is adapted from the publication High Quality Outdoor Learning - a guide for all, published earlier this year.
How will it inform my practise?
The newly published handbook is designed to help staff identify aspects of good practice in place already, as well as areas where some simple changes can lead to big improvements. It includes useful checklists and models including the BASICS model for inclusion.
The guide organised into three sections:
Part 1 – Conditions for success: the systems, culture, behaviours and relationships that enable successful delivery to take place.
Part 2 – High quality practice: the planning, delivery and assessment of learning experiences.
Part 3 – Evaluating outcomes: the identifiable changes in an individual or group as a result of the activity / programme
The final section takes each of the ten outcomes of high quality outdoor learning in turn, providing clear indicators to help assess if your learners are meeting or progressing towards the outcomes, plus suggestions for developing your practice.
Jo Barnett, CEO at the Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL) says:
“Schools and other educational settings, through inspiring lessons delivered by passionate teachers and practitioners, provide a critical pathway to helping all learners access the benefits of the outdoors. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or just taking your first steps, this guide will help you consolidate and develop your outdoor learning practice.”
Jake Wiid, Director at EVOLVE Advice says:
“We’re proud to support this publication and encourage all staff involved in educational visits and learning outside the classroom to download a copy.
“The impact of outdoor learning on educational outcomes and personal development are well-documented but they don’t happen by accident. Identifying these outcomes and how to achieve them is an important part of your visit planning and informs the choices you make about where to go and what to do. Visit Leaders and EVCs will find this a helpful resource for planning and evaluation.”
Poster: learning outcomes
Download this free poster to support your planning and evaluation. Share the ten outcomes for high-quality outdoor learning with your visit team and school community - why not use it as the basis of a display and show how your visits are helping children and young people achieve these outcomes.
About IOL
The Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL) is the professional body for organisations and individuals who use the outdoors to make a positive difference for others. Find out more about IOL membership here https://www.outdoor-learning.org/.
About EVOLVE Advice
EVOLVE Advice is a member of IOL and delivers EVC and Visit Leader training that is accredited by IOL. EVOLVE Advice Director, Jake Wiid contributed to the drafting of this publication and EVOLVE Advice supported its production.