
Outdoor Education: Methods and Strategies
Methods and Strategies
Author:
Outdoor Education: Methods and Strategies will show students how to
-use physical, cognitive, and affective methods to teach lessons in different settings to different audiences;
-link educational theories to teaching methods and choose the best method for each setting; and
-implement strategies with easy-to-use forms and lesson plans.
Outdoor Education: Methods and Strategies provides all the necessary information and tools for teaching outdoor education. It applies educational theories to outdoor teaching methods and helps educators choose the instructional strategy that will work best for their audience, whether they're in a school, nature center, adventure center, camp, environmental learning center, government agency, or university. This text includes the following features:
-Easy-to-use forms for designing, implementing, and evaluating outdoor lesson plans
-Six highly detailed sample lesson plans, representing a variety of settings for different age groups and abilities and using physical, cognitive, and affective methods
-Teaching tips, real-life case studies, and interactive exercises to apply concepts in each chapter
Outdoor Education: Methods and Strategies contains practical lesson plans and examples that go beyond the normal scope of a text. It includes key concepts, objectives, and summaries for each chapter, and it presents an extensive set of educational methods and applications to foster optimal learning.
Part I defines what outdoor education is and details the professional expectations of an outdoor educator. It also explores educational theories that support outdoor education, including developmental stages, learning stages, and constructivism.
Part II covers teacher preparation, including understanding the backgrounds and abilities of participants, creating a successful learning environment, teaching effectively in a variety of outdoor settings, and designing lesson plans.
In part III, the authors explore methods and delivery of outdoor education. They examine the uses of physical, cognitive, and affective methods for teaching, and they provide six ready-to-use sample lessons. They also help readers reflect on, evaluate, and improve their lesson plans through experimentation.
Outdoor Education: Methods and Strategies will benefit all educators, new or veteran, in enhancing their audience's awareness, appreciation, and knowledge of the outdoors. Ultimately, it will advance educators' abilities to increase people's enjoyment and understanding of the environment.
Audience
Text for undergraduate- and graduate-level college courses in outdoor education,environmental education, adventure education, interpretation, recreation, physical education,and natural resources education.
Reference for outdoor education professionals in outdoor education and adventure programs, nature centers, park and rec departments, environmental learning centers, camps, natural resource agenices, and interpretive centers.
Preface
Part I. Foundations of Outdoor Education
Chapter 1. Defining Outdoor Education
Why the Outdoors?
A Model of Outdoor Education
Environmental Education
Interpretation
Adventure Education
Experiential Education
Education Structure
Development of Outdoor Education
Rationale for Teaching Outdoors
Summary
Chapter 2. Describing the Outdoor Educator
Professionalism
Professional Responsibilities
Summary
Chapter 3. Theories and Foundations in Outdoor Education
Theories in Outdoor Education
Learning Theories
Summary
Part II. Preparation for Teaching Outdoors
Chapter 4. Understanding Participants
Audience Assessment
Stereotyping
Gender
Age and Cognitive Development
Medical Conditions
Experience
Group Familiarity
Abilities
Culture and Ethnicity
Strategies for Teaching Diverse Audiences
Summary
Chapter 5. Creating the Learning Environment
Foundations of the Learning Environment
Components of Successful Learning Environments
Summary
Chapter 6. Outdoor Education Settings
Site Selection
Learning Barriers
Equipment
Logistics
Record Keeping
Special Settings: Lessons in the Night
Summary
Chapter 7. Designing Lessons
Advantages of Lesson Plans
Format
Structure
Assessment
Summary
Part III. Methods and Delivery of Outdoor Education
Chapter 8. Physical Methods
Physical Skills Development
Physical Manipulation
Activities, Games, and Competitions
Theatrics
Initiatives and Ropes Courses
Summary
Chapter 9. Cognitive Methods
Lecture and Discussion
Inquiry
Videography
Service Learning
Written Materials
Peer Teaching
Summary
Chapter 10. Affective Methods
Guided Discovery
Visual Imagery
Storytelling
Scenarios and Case Studies
Summary
Chapter 11. Sample Lessons
Night Hike
Map and Compass
Maple Sugar Bush
Weather
Fishing Ethics
Concepts for Sea Kayakers
Chapter 12. Your Future in Outdoor Education
Working With Mainstream Education
State Standards and High-Stakes Testing
Professional Certification
Education or Advocacy?
Strategic Planning for Professional Growth
Moving Forward in Outdoor Education
Appendix A. Professional Organizations in the United States
Appendix B. Sample Forms
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
About the Authors