During our course, there was one particular day when we got lucky with the weather and explored the nearby 'oak-landscape' called Tinnerö. I still remember how beautiful it looked with the warm sun and the amazing nature. It was our second outdoor class and it one of our favorites! There were so many majestic oak trees that surrounded the landscape, and beautiful yellow, white and purple flowers. It was here for the first time I saw a tree with completely white trunk. I asked my friend from Iceland whether she knew the name of the tree. And she said that it is called 'Birch' tree. I was so fascinated by its unique color of the trunk.
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| Yes, we were lucky to be here and thats our outdoor classroom !! |
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| An excited bunch of 'outdoor educators' ready to explore! |
The purpose of the outdoor classes was to acquaint us with the 'outdoor pedagogic tools' and also in the process help us gain confidence in planning and executing outdoor lessons. As a teacher, I slowly realized the potential of the outdoors in broadening the scope of learning because the moment you step outside of the four walls with children there is so much to learn and every little experience becomes educational.
While we walked up a small hill, I remember one of our classmates spotting a lizard, and my friend from UK exclaiming with excitement 'Look at the lizard!!' In no time all of us were keenly looking at the lizard with so much fascination and were discussing about it.
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| Lizard that we spotted in our outdoor classroom! |
What was even more exciting was to have intriguing conversations with other classmates as we walked along in our outdoor classroom. These conversations were so important in building that rapport, understanding and in strengthening our friendship. In my experience it was the outdoor classes that facilitated our in-depth conversations and nurtured the mutual love and care for each other. I remember stepping out this bright sunny day for our outdoor class, and being an new-bee in Sweden I did not realize how cold it is going to be with the winds even though the sun was shining. So, my friend from Austria gave me her extra jacket which saved me from freezing. It was these small acts of kindness that slowly helped us come together during our outdoor classes. It was equally fun to be with nature and explore the Swedish landscape. What more does nature enthusiasts ask for? - Nature and some good company as we learnt and were groomed to be outdoor educators.
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| The little beauty on an oak leaf |
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| Purple beauty |
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| Using the barn as an educational resource |
As a teacher, I was slowly fascinated by this pedagogy but I also questioned the challenges that would come along with it. Well, it was just the second week at the course, and it is too early to conclude, or decide about this unique pedagogy all at once. I had to be patient and experience, learn and read more of it. Two weeks into the course and I learnt: 1. Rain or Shine, as an outdoor educator there is no excuse not be out there 2. Being outside broadens the scope of learning 3. The scope for rich engaging conversation among students and the mutual love and care that nurtures a healthy relationship among the students. So folks I will soon bring more stories and fresh insights for the mind and the soul from the outdoor classroom.
