IN Denmark schools are moving as many classes as possible outdoors. Could that work in Scotland? “In terms of social distancing class sizes make that really problematic,” says Professor Peter Higgins, Edinburgh University’s chair in Outdoor Environmental and Sustainability Education. “So working with children and young people outside would be a way round that.”
He believes that outdoor education should now play a key part of the day, with school grounds and local green spaces utilised and a workforce of park Rangers, outdoor centre staff redeployed to help lead it.
“I think it could work well at primary, particularly in schools with grounds where the kids can be given tasks that can be done at a distance,” he said. “Schools just need access to waterproofs and wellies and there are lots of ideas available about how to deliver learning outdoors.”
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He claimed that cross-curricular learning including literacy and numeracy could be incorporated, and while adapting tasks for high school students would be more challenging he said it was infinitely possible.
In Denmark lessons such as maths and language studies are given a twist by taking them into natural environments, which studies have shown to enhance learning. Outdoor lessons are part of the school day for 7-16 year olds.
While Higgins claimed that any teacher could be supported to teach outdoors with support, he said there were ways of building teaching capacity and augmenting the staff at an incredibly challenging time.
“I’m thinking of Scout leaders, ranger services or staff and freelancers who teach at outdoor centres,” he added.
He said that it could be an ideal way to help children and young people deal with the difficult emotions they would be experiencing.
Some may have lost loved ones and others are struggling with the loss of normal life.
“I am concerned for kids’ health and wellbeing,” Higgins said.
“This experience [of the pandemic] is something that they will carry for the rest of their days.
To take them out to the woods, to the beach or green space and do something creative in terms of learning would be a powerful thing to do.”
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