Course description
In this applied course, experiential education is used to teach students how to incorporate K-12 curricular requirements into alternative learning environments during the summer and fall. Topics include risk assessment and management, organization and planning, environmental ethics, and pedagogical strategies for outdoor physical education environments. Participation in, and planning of, aquatic and land activities is a course requirement. Field trips will be required. These field trips may take place outside of scheduled class hours and include an overnight trip. This course acknowledges that Outdoor Experiential Education is congruent with First Nation Epistemology.
Means of assessment
Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:
Professionalism 10% to 20%
Exams 10% to 30%
Presentations 15% to 25%
Activity proposal 20% to 40%
Total 100%
Note: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled course activities in order to receive a final grade of C- or higher in the course. Students who do not attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled course activities will receive a UN grade.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- design and execute an outdoor alternative environment education lesson plan suitable for K-12 students with a complete risk management assessment;
- provide summative and formative feedback on peers' outdoor and alternative environment education lesson plans;
- safely supervise outdoor and alternative environment activities;
- identify age-appropriate outdoor and alternative environment sites for K-12 students;
- describe and apply Outdoor Experiential Education strategies and theory;
- utilize the “ethics of care” approach to identify environmental concerns and demonstrate low environmental impact strategies;
- identify the overlaps with First Nation Epistemology and Outdoor Experiential Education methodology and philosophy.
Textbook materials
Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Supplementary materials (i.e., article readings) or a coursepack for SPSC 1318 may be required. Depending on the activity involved, students may incur a cost associated with transportation and/or equipment requirements for the course.