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BROADENING HORIZONS THROUGH OUTDOOR LEARNING
Introduction and Description
Outdoor learning has emerged as a powerful pedagogical approach that responds directly to the needs of today’s schools and learners. In an era defined by digital saturation, reduced physical activity, increasing socio-emotional challenges, and the imperative to foster environmental awareness, taking learning beyond the classroom has never been more relevant. This course—available in both 5-day and 10-day formats—offers educators a research-informed, practice-oriented exploration of outdoor pedagogy in natural, urban and school environments.
Grounded in experiential, environmental and inquiry-based learning, the course supports teachers and school staff in developing the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to design safe, inclusive and meaningful outdoor learning experiences. Participants engage with a wide range of methodologies, from cross-curricular activities and city-based challenges to sensory exploration, teamwork development, inquiry projects and nature-based problem solving. Through hands-on practice, collaborative learning and structured reflection, educators discover how outdoor learning enhances student engagement, strengthens key competences, supports wellbeing, and promotes a holistic approach to education.
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This course is highly relevant for institutions seeking to innovate, internationalise and align with Erasmus+ priorities, including inclusion and diversity, digital transformation, environmental sustainability, learner-centred pedagogies and whole-school development. By the end of the programme, participants will have developed a personalised implementation plan and will be equipped to introduce or scale up outdoor learning in their own organisations, fostering more engaging, equitable and future-oriented learning environments.
Outcomes
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Familiarizing with the principles and practices of outdoor learning.
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Learning about the necessary preparations and safe management of outdoor learning.
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Integrating cross-curricular, numeracy, literacy and science learning outdoors.
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Integrating development of sensory awareness, problem solving and team work skills in outdoor learning.
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Developing communication, collaboration, presentation, problem solving, negotiation, critical and creative thinking skills.
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Improving English fluency (official language of the course).
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Promoting intercultural awareness.
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Sharing experiences of outdoor learning from different organizations in order to help each of us to be more effective in our work.
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Strengthening the European collaboration among people practicing outdoor learning in different contexts.
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Providing insights into different education systems.
Preparation
After registration participants will receive pre-course questionnaire which will be used by the trainer to learn about participants’ teaching backgrounds and to assess their exact needs. Before the beginning of the course a basic reading list will be suggested to participants to prepare for the training. Participants will also be asked to prepare a presentation about themselves, their professional context and their culture. The presentation will be presented on the first day of the course to facilitate networking opportunities. Participants will receive information about the country they are going to visit in order to prepare them for their cultural experience.
Follow up
After the course participants will be asked to share what they have learned with the rest of the staff in their schools. Further books and articles to deepen the topic and contacts with some other practitioners all over Europe and in the world will be suggested by the trainer. The methods shared and explored and the bibliography given will allow the participants to complete and improve their educational path.
5 days programme (25 hours)
course sessions (Monday to Friday)
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Introduction of participants, outline of the programme, warm ups and ice breakers
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Preparations for outdoor learning, safe management of outdoor learning
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Experiential and environmental education
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Field trip 1: cross-curricular, numeracy, literacy and science outdoors – learning from the natural world
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Field trip 2: development of sensory awareness, problem solving and team work skills in the wild
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Individual support
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Presentation of outcomes, discussion, evaluation and closing session
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cultural and social programme
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Teambuilding and networking activities
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City tour or a cultural trip
10 days programme (50 hours)
course sessions (Monday to Friday + Monday to Friday)
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Introduction of participants, outline of the programme, warm ups and ice breakers
- Preparations for outdoor learning, safe management of outdoor learning
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Experiential and environmental education
-
Field trip 1: cross-curricular, numeracy, literacy and science outdoors – learning from the natural world
-
Field trip 2: development of sensory awareness, problem solving and team work skills in the wild
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Inquiry-based outdoor learning project with a documentary video production
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Planning, design and preparation of outdoor educational activities in different contexts
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Individual support
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Presentation of outcomes, discussion, evaluation and closing session
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cultural and social programme
-
Teambuilding and networking activities
-
City tour or a cultural trip
CERTIFICATE
Each participant will get a course attendance certificate and we will validate the acquired competences on the Europass Mobility upon request. Please note that we have a paperless policy and all the documents will be delivered in digital form.
COURSE FEE
The course fee is 80 € per day. It includes tuition and materials, cultural and social programme, support in preparation and all the administrative work. There are no additional costs or hidden fees. After registration, you will receive a pro-forma invoice which you will have to pay by bank transaction. You will receive the invoice after you attend the course.
SUBSISTENCE
The course fee doesn't include accommodation and meals and participants are responsible to organize them on their own. In some locations we might be able to recommend or organize subsistence for you. Please don't hesitate to contact us to inquire about any specific location.