Archivo de la categoría: Bologna

The new edition of the course “Outdoor education: a new way of teaching and learning” took place in Bologna from 26/06/2022 – 02/07/2022. The participants came from all across Europe and overseas: Latvia, Hungary, Greece, Slovakia, Spain and USA.

We started the week off with defining Outdoor Education, and sharing our personal experience. In such a diverse group we were met with different techniques and practices, which came in handy when the group had to come up with a universal definition of Outdoor Education. It also helped when we were discussing the benefits of learning outdoors – the cognitive, behavioural, and physical aspects.

On Tuesday we focused on learning about Outdoor Education in nature, with a visit to a local park close to Bologna. All the games and activities gave inspiration to us in more than one way – this was to help us tackle the last challenge of this week.

Before going on an adventure of our own, we also discovered Kurt Hahn’s 10 principles in an indoor setting by playing a treasure hunt in the course venue. Running around the building we could feel like their students for once, whilst also gathering more clues about the topic at hand. After a short discussion about the principles, we left to explore Florence.

Another thing we stressed was the fact that Outdoor Education doesn’t have to happen only in open spaces in nature. We started the day off with a treasure hunt in the centre of Bologna – both to test our knowledge of Bologna, and to show us how to apply outdoor learning in an urban setting. After the morning’s hunt, we learned how to make ourown.

The last day was dedicated to brainstorming. Using the venue’s garden as a map, we had to assess the risks, the opportunities, and come up with the activities we could do with our pupils.

The last challenge of this week was to come up with a detailed plan of our own outdoor activity! We had some great ideas, and great feedback from both the peers, and the trainer.

By the time the week came to an end, we gained many ideas to apply in our classes. We ought this great opportunity to the ERASMUS+ programme, SEPIE, OPEEC and CEIP HUERTAS DEL PALMAR.  Thank you for all these two amazing experiences that we could enjoy the current year. But this is only the beginnig of an stunning adventure called ERASMUS+!

Hortensia and Silvia