Description
Have you ever heard of outdoor digital learning trends? Do you think that using ICT tools while going outdoors is impossible? This course will prove the contrary!
Teachers sometimes lament the lack of resources for outdoor activities connected to their academic subjects. This course will show how, with the support of the right ICT tools, any external environment can support outdoor learning, or provide details relevant for curricular learning within the classroom – bringing the outdoor space within!
The course will make you master a variety of digital tools in outdoor spaces of different kinds. Participants will discuss the SAMR model to identify the most significant uses of technology in support of teaching and learning (substitution, augmentation, modification, or redefinition?).
As a participant, you will also receive many practice examples of learning activities performed outdoors with ICT tools, which will inspire the design of novel tasks for your students. You will also discuss and create novel activities in collaboration with other colleagues from different European countries.
By the end of the course, you will have access to many examples of hands-on activities to be used in everyday teaching. You will definitely know how much using digital tools can involve physical activity or movement, and how much it differs from sitting in front of a screen!
Requirements
Suggested computer proficiency: Intermediate
Learning outcomes
The course will help the participants to:
- Improve their basic digital competencies;
- Integrate ICT tools in outdoor teaching and learning;
- Understand the SAMR model;
- Use the outdoor space to learn in, and from it;
- Engage students through student-centered activities;
- Create crosscurricular tasks;
- Foster students’ creativity in learning and critical thinking.
Tentative schedule
Day 1 – Outdoor connect
- Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
- Icebreaker activities;
- Presentations of the participants’ schools;
- Individual orientation;
- My outdoor environment – reflection and discussion, sharing experiences, dealing with challenges – contextualization of the course outcomes.
Day 2 – The benefits of the use of ICT
- ICT in education;
- ICT as a substitute, augmentation, modification, and redefinition of learning: the SAMR model.
Digital tools for outdoor use
- Apps and gadgets suitable for outdoor use;
- Exploring the outdoor space.
Day 3 – Outdoor Education
- Benefits of outdoor teaching and learning;
- Experiential learning outdoors and indoors;
- Practice examples.
Day 4 – Crosscurricular approach
- Developing and creating tasks;
- Linking different subjects;
- Practice and feedback.
Day 5 – Move, find, teach
- Bringing outdoors indoors;
- Creating teaching materials;
- Sharing practice examples.
Day 6 – Course closure & cultural activities
- Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
- Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
- Excursion and other external cultural activities.