Research has widely approached the benefits and potentials of nature contact and outdoor education on children’s emotional development. There is however little evidence on teachers’ approach and educational methods on emotional education in nature. This paper investigates the potentials of outdoor education for children’s development of emotional competences by exploring in which ways emotional education is included within the didactic methodologies in a Swedish “I Ur Och Skur” nature-based preschool. Through an ethnographic approach the author identified three main educational methods by which emotional education is included within the daily teaching in the outdoors: emotional expressiveness, direct sensory experience with nature and affective social interaction. This study contributes in two main ways: first, it shows how educators approach and include emotional learning in nature spaces as a mean to help children engage affectively with their social and natural world. Second, it highlights and illustrates the potentials of outdoor and emotional education in young children.

In an age of increased environmental awareness, environmental education in schools has become progressively valued and supported. With this in mind, the purpose of this study was to investigate the significance of art education within the context of environmental schools and other sites of environmental education. Specifically, this research aimed to identify ways art education is being used as a means to strengthen outdoor learning. Through qualitative research involving multiple case studies of the art programs of three environmental charter schools and one nature center in Pennsylvania, data was gathered by means of on-site observations and interviews with staff and students of the aforementioned sites. Although the findings of this study indicated that each of the sites incorporated some degree of art in their environmental curricula, the results demonstrated a significant deficiency in the presence and support of art education in the environmental education programs within each site. Based on the findings of this study, suggestions were made concerning ways art may be used as a means through which students might more closely examine and experience the natural environment. / text

Self-motivated activities, or play, that children choose to engage in are manifestations of a variety of science process skills being used to construct knowledge about their environment. While many people agree that science skills should be fostered at an early age, due to the possible positive influence of a wider base of experiential knowledge and the development of a love of science, there is a lack of research available to support the development of early childhood science curriculum (Bredekamp & Copple, 1997, Brenneman, Stevenson-Boyd & Frede, 2009). This study follows the daily activities of four- and five-year-old children attending a science-based preschool in the southwestern United States. The play activities of the children were observed for their use of the science process skills of observing, comparing, classifying, measuring, communicating, inferring, predicting and experimenting. A wide range of play activities centered around the foundational skills of observing, comparing, measuring, communicating and inferring. The teachers and students combine to create a unique environment promoting excitement and exploration. / text

The study explores the incorporation of Environmental Education (EE) for sustainability in the Namibian Colleges of Education. The thrust is held in this study because of the view that the incorporation of EE promotes sustainable development. Cross-curricular teaching is the preferred model for the incorporation of EE in the Namibian Colleges of Education because it brings all teacher educators to contribute to the teaching of environmental education themes just as sustainable development requires all players to incorporate its principles in core operations of institutions. The study explores the global environment crisis, the environmental degradation in Africa in general and Namibia in particular. Education is seen as an instrument that could be used to address the environmental problems that affect the ability of the ecosystem to regulate climate, to provide resources and to support natural and human life in the broader environment. The study presented the EE goals such as the ecological foundation, the conceptual awareness: issues and values, investigation and evaluation as well as the environmental action, training and application. The study explores theoretical perspectives for the incorporation of EE, theories of modern environmentalism and theories of sustainability as well as policies that were undertaken in Namibia to incorporate EE in the Namibian Colleges of Education. The methodology of research is both quantitative and qualitative and is rooted in the classical and grounded theory approaches to research. The documentation of data and the questionnaire were used as techniques and tools to collect both direct and indirect data. It emerged from the findings of the study that the ecological foundation and the conceptual awareness subgoals are part of EE teaching while the investigation and evaluation as well as the environmental action, training and application subgoals are not part of EE teaching in the Namibian Colleges of Education. The findings of the study reveal that teacher educators in the Namibian Colleges of Education have a variety of understandings and perceptions about the incorporation of EE in the Namibian Colleges of Education. The findings also show that the barriers that affect the incorporation of EE in the Namibian Colleges of Education are institutional, dispositional and situational. The recommendations of the study support the clarification of the concept of cross-curricular teaching in light of the emerging paradigm of sustainable development. They also promote the re-orientation of the administration, the curriculum and teacher educator attitudes in the Namibian Colleges of Education. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics)

A educação ao ar livre, por meio de cursos no formato expedição, ainda acontece de forma tímida no Brasil. Entende-se por cursos no formato expedição, experiências educacionais contínuas, de múltiplos dias, em que alunos e instrutores se aventuram em um trajeto em área remota na natureza, de forma autossuficiente. Embora haja estudos sobre esta proposta pedagógica no exterior, não se sabe se os resultados valem para a experiência brasileira. Este estudo trata de dois aspectos fundamentais à educação contemporânea: o valor da experiência e o desenvolvimento moral do indivíduo. Por meio de entrevistas e de questionários semiestruturados, investigamos a percepção das aprendizagens dos alunos de cursos da escola Outward Bound Brasil e de seus educadores. Também entrevistamos uma psicóloga que coordena um abrigo para menores, em um estudo de caso sobre um aluno adolescente. Os resultados encontrados indicam que os cursos de educação ao ar livre caracterizamse por experiências que estimulam os trabalhos em grupo, os debates sobre justiça e solidariedade na resolução de problemas e a reflexão sobre valores e princípios como coragem, esforço pessoal, disciplina, respeito e superação de limites. Os resultados também indicam que esta proposta educacional proporciona experiências sensíveis e de conexão do ser humano com a natureza. Muito embora os resultados indiquem um grande potencial educacional para a educação ao ar livre, a atuação do profissional frente aos seus alunos é fundamental para que as experiências sejam fisicamente e psicologicamente seguras, alcancem seus potencias pedagógicos de desenvolvimento da moralidade e ajudem as pessoas a desenvolverem uma consciência ambiental crítica e não dogmática, manifestada por meio de ações concretas ao retornarem dos cursos para as suas casas e comunidades / The outdoor education, through courses in the expedition form, is still beginning in Brazil. By expedition, we consider the multiple day, self-sustained experience, in which, instructors and students, adventure through a remote setting in nature. Although there are studies abroad on this pedagogic system, it is unknown if the results are valid for the Brazilian experience. This study analysis the courses in expedition form of the Outward Bound school in Brazil. Through interviews and semistructured questionnaires, we investigated the students learning, according to their own perceptions and the points of view of the instructors of the school, with emphasis in two major aspects of contemporary education: the value of the experience and the development of the moral reasoning of a person. We have also interviewed a psychologist who is the manager of a shelter for underprivileged youth, in a case study of a specific young student. The results found show that the outdoor education courses are experiences that stimulate works in groups, debates about justice and solidarity in the search of solutions for the problems that arise throughout a course, and the reflection about values and virtues like courage, effort, self discipline, respect and overcoming of limits. The results also show that this educational method provides sensitive experiences and connection of the human being with nature. Although the results indicate a strong educational potential for the outdoor education, the performance of the educator in face of his students is of major importance, to ensure that the experiences are physically and emotionally safe, reach their pedagogical potential of development of the moral reasoning and help people to develop a critical and non dogmatic environment consciousness, that is manifested through real actions when they return from the courses to their homes and communities

A educação ao ar livre, por meio de cursos no formato expedição, ainda acontece de forma tímida no Brasil. Entende-se por cursos no formato expedição, experiências educacionais contínuas, de múltiplos dias, em que alunos e instrutores se aventuram em um trajeto em área remota na natureza, de forma autossuficiente. Embora haja estudos sobre esta proposta pedagógica no exterior, não se sabe se os resultados valem para a experiência brasileira. Este estudo trata de dois aspectos fundamentais à educação contemporânea: o valor da experiência e o desenvolvimento moral do indivíduo. Por meio de entrevistas e de questionários semiestruturados, investigamos a percepção das aprendizagens dos alunos de cursos da escola Outward Bound Brasil e de seus educadores. Também entrevistamos uma psicóloga que coordena um abrigo para menores, em um estudo de caso sobre um aluno adolescente. Os resultados encontrados indicam que os cursos de educação ao ar livre caracterizamse por experiências que estimulam os trabalhos em grupo, os debates sobre justiça e solidariedade na resolução de problemas e a reflexão sobre valores e princípios como coragem, esforço pessoal, disciplina, respeito e superação de limites. Os resultados também indicam que esta proposta educacional proporciona experiências sensíveis e de conexão do ser humano com a natureza. Muito embora os resultados indiquem um grande potencial educacional para a educação ao ar livre, a atuação do profissional frente aos seus alunos é fundamental para que as experiências sejam fisicamente e psicologicamente seguras, alcancem seus potencias pedagógicos de desenvolvimento da moralidade e ajudem as pessoas a desenvolverem uma consciência ambiental crítica e não dogmática, manifestada por meio de ações concretas ao retornarem dos cursos para as suas casas e comunidades / The outdoor education, through courses in the expedition form, is still beginning in Brazil. By expedition, we consider the multiple day, self-sustained experience, in which, instructors and students, adventure through a remote setting in nature. Although there are studies abroad on this pedagogic system, it is unknown if the results are valid for the Brazilian experience. This study analysis the courses in expedition form of the Outward Bound school in Brazil. Through interviews and semistructured questionnaires, we investigated the students learning, according to their own perceptions and the points of view of the instructors of the school, with emphasis in two major aspects of contemporary education: the value of the experience and the development of the moral reasoning of a person. We have also interviewed a psychologist who is the manager of a shelter for underprivileged youth, in a case study of a specific young student. The results found show that the outdoor education courses are experiences that stimulate works in groups, debates about justice and solidarity in the search of solutions for the problems that arise throughout a course, and the reflection about values and virtues like courage, effort, self discipline, respect and overcoming of limits. The results also show that this educational method provides sensitive experiences and connection of the human being with nature. Although the results indicate a strong educational potential for the outdoor education, the performance of the educator in face of his students is of major importance, to ensure that the experiences are physically and emotionally safe, reach their pedagogical potential of development of the moral reasoning and help people to develop a critical and non dogmatic environment consciousness, that is manifested through real actions when they return from the courses to their homes and communities

Penser, représenter et étudier la nature a constitué un axe majeur du projet éducatif de l’école de la Troisième République. Pour comprendre les enjeux autour des façons de penser et d’éduquer à la nature, il est nécessaire de garder à l’esprit que la géographie, les sciences, l’histoire, l’agronomie et la littérature ont déversé une foule de savoirs et soulevé autant de questions, aux réponses parfois indisciplinées. L’essentiel pourtant n’est pas dans la recherche des contradictions que le discours a immanquablement générées. Non, il est à trouver dans le cap que les fondateurs ont tracé : éduquer et instruire. A notre sens, l’un des leviers pour atteindre ce double objectif a consisté à rendre l’enseignement le plus attractif possible. On s’en doute, les pédagogues n’ont pas été à court d’idées mais l’étude de la nature a plus que d’autres, servi à enchanter l’école républicaine. Pas toujours, pas partout évidemment : le succès et l’essor de l’Education nouvelle ne peuvent se comprendre si l’on oublie que beaucoup d’écoles dirigées par des maîtres consciencieux rechignèrent à rompre avec les méthodes et les contenus pédagogiques classiques. Cet arrachement à la tradition, l’Education nouvelle l’incarne parfaitement. Porté par le souffle de la rénovation pédagogique, ce mouvement progressiste a emboîté le pas des réformateurs de l’école traditionnelle pour faire de la nature le pivot de son enseignement… Au milieu des finalités de l’éducation à la nature à l’école, la dimension enchanteresse de la nature fut absolument centrale. Toute la littérature scolaire a participé à cette entreprise de fabrication d’une nature capable de dire la grandeur de la nation, apte à concurrencer les interprétations théologiques du monde et susceptible de faire oublier les malheurs du temps. Acharnée à former des petits républicains volontaires, l’école a également promu, avec la nature, des méthodes actives. Jardins, promenades, voyages, leçons sur le vif, géographie de terrain dessinent une école moderne, davantage en phase avec les besoins des enfants. C’est autour de ce double mouvement de construction de représentations : l’enchantement de l’école d’un côté, et une nature enchantée de l’autre, que nous avons articulé l’essentiel de notre réflexion. En gardant à l’esprit qu’il y a eu là un processus de fabrique d’une nature dont l’image – et non sa matérialité - se reflète encore dans la mémoire collective. / Thinking, representing and studying nature has been a major component of the educational project of Third Republic Schools. To understand the issues surrounding ways of thinking and educating people about nature, it is necessary to keep in mind that geography, science, history, agronomy and literature have brought out a wealth of knowledge and raised as many questions, sometimes with unruly answers. However, the essential thing is not in the search for the contradictions that the discourse has inevitably generated. No, it is to be found in the course that the founders have set: to educate and instruct. In our opinion, one of the levers to achieve this dual objective has been to make education as attractive as possible. As we can imagine, pedagogues were not short of ideas, but the study of nature has more than others served to enchant the republican school. Not always, not everywhere, of course: the success and development of new education cannot be understood if we forget that many schools run by conscientious teachers were reluctant to break with traditional teaching methods and content. This tearing away from tradition is perfectly embodied in the new Education. Carried by the wind of pedagogical renovation, this progressive movement followed in the footsteps of the reformers of the traditional school to make nature the pivot of its teaching... In the midst of the aims of nature education at school, the enchanting dimension of nature was absolutely central. All school literature has participated in this process of manufacturing a nature capable of expressing the greatness of the nation, capable of competing with the theological interpretations of the world and capable of making people forget the misfortunes of time. Hard at work training young volunteer Republicans, the school has also promoted, with nature, active methods. Gardens, walks, trips, lessons, geography of the field draw a modern school, more in tune with the needs of children. It is around this double movement of building representations: the enchantment of the school on the one hand, and an enchanted nature on the other, that we have organized the essential of our reflection. Bearing in mind that there has been a manufacturing process of a nature whose image - and not its materiality - is still reflected in the collective memory.

The study explores the incorporation of Environmental Education (EE) for sustainability in the Namibian Colleges of Education. The thrust is held in this study because of the view that the incorporation of EE promotes sustainable development. Cross-curricular teaching is the preferred model for the incorporation of EE in the Namibian Colleges of Education because it brings all teacher educators to contribute to the teaching of environmental education themes just as sustainable development requires all players to incorporate its principles in core operations of institutions. The study explores the global environment crisis, the environmental degradation in Africa in general and Namibia in particular. Education is seen as an instrument that could be used to address the environmental problems that affect the ability of the ecosystem to regulate climate, to provide resources and to support natural and human life in the broader environment. The study presented the EE goals such as the ecological foundation, the conceptual awareness: issues and values, investigation and evaluation as well as the environmental action, training and application. The study explores theoretical perspectives for the incorporation of EE, theories of modern environmentalism and theories of sustainability as well as policies that were undertaken in Namibia to incorporate EE in the Namibian Colleges of Education. The methodology of research is both quantitative and qualitative and is rooted in the classical and grounded theory approaches to research. The documentation of data and the questionnaire were used as techniques and tools to collect both direct and indirect data. It emerged from the findings of the study that the ecological foundation and the conceptual awareness subgoals are part of EE teaching while the investigation and evaluation as well as the environmental action, training and application subgoals are not part of EE teaching in the Namibian Colleges of Education. The findings of the study reveal that teacher educators in the Namibian Colleges of Education have a variety of understandings and perceptions about the incorporation of EE in the Namibian Colleges of Education. The findings also show that the barriers that affect the incorporation of EE in the Namibian Colleges of Education are institutional, dispositional and situational. The recommendations of the study support the clarification of the concept of cross-curricular teaching in light of the emerging paradigm of sustainable development. They also promote the re-orientation of the administration, the curriculum and teacher educator attitudes in the Namibian Colleges of Education. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics)

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This thesis is an exploratory look into the use of mindfulness practice on in-depth nature experiences to determine if the practice has benefit to the participant, their outdoor experience, and overall connectedness with nature. An original research project examined three groups of adolescents from St. Michaels University School Outdoor Education program in Victoria, BC, Canada, as they hiked the Juan de Fuca trail. Two of the three groups undertook a simple mindfulness protocol to explore the outcomes. Based on participant-observation and interviews, mindfulness practice was determined to be a useful practice towards alleviating stress and anxiety associated with aspects of in-depth outdoor experiences, such as morning preparations. Participants who practiced mindfulness on the trip asked fewer questions about the future and remained present more often than those who did not practice mindfulness. A further finding was that there are aspects of mindfulness inherent in in-depth nature experiences, such as sitting around a fire. These inherent mindfulness moments should be encouraged as they provide benefit to trip experiences, and potentially towards greater connectedness with nature. Overall, this qualitative study suggests that mindfulness is a useful tool for the benefit of human well-being and nature connection. However, more research is needed to further identify the magnitude and mechanisms of the benefit. / Graduate