Learning Outside the Classroom: A world of opportunities not to be missed
24th June, 3-4pm
This event forms part of the Learning and Teaching through COVID-recovery conference
Speakers: Prof. Robbie Nicol, Dr Beth Christie, and Prof. Peter Higgins, University of Edinburgh
The challenge of continuing to teach through the Covid-19 recovery period brings two immediate concerns. First, there are logistical considerations involving distancing, blended indoor and outdoor learning and the flexibility of pupils attending on a part-time basis. Second, there is the challenge of working to a ‘Recovery Curriculum’ focused predominantly on numeracy, literacy and health and well-being. Scottish Government advice suggests that viral transmission is less likely outdoors and social distancing is easier to implement and maintain in outdoor spaces. Additionally, the Deputy First Minster has issued guidance that health and well-being is to be a priority and that learning outdoors can help with that. Given this context, it is clear that outdoor learning offers ways to address some of these concerns whilst adhering to current governmental advice. To support these developments this presentation aims to offer practical knowledge, examples and ideas to support a smooth and healthy transition back into school-based (as opposed to home-based) education. We will explore some practical steps to show how places and spaces around the school grounds can be used to address some of the Covid challenges whilst paying attention to student and staff well-being and the need to provide high quality teaching and learning. We will also suggest ways to overcome some of the barriers that teachers often experience when teaching outdoors.
PRIVACY
Please be aware that our conference recordings (voice and text chat) may be used for the purposes of research to understand how COVID continues to influence education planning. By participating in the chat (voice and text) you are giving your consent for your comments to be included as part of our research. All contributions will be anonymised and the ethical process of the Moray House School of Education and Sport followed: https://www.ed.ac.uk/education/rke/research-support/ethics. If you have any questions or would like your contribution to be removed, please contact Dr Claire Sowton – claire.sowton@ed.ac.uk detailing the event(s) you attended and your Zoom username used in the chat window. Centre for Research in Digital Education Privacy Policy: https://www.de.ed.ac.uk/news/digital-education-and-gdpr