Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2023 - EDUC 359 D100

Introduction to Outdoor Education (4)

Class Number: 4770

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 8 – Jun 19, 2023: Sat, 9:30 a.m.–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    60 units; or permission of instructor.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Students will learn the principles and practices for teaching, developing, planning, and leading, Outdoor Education classes, trips, and programs. Emphasizes backcountry travel best practices, wilderness leadership techniques, teaching methodology, hard and soft skills. Teaching processes include lecture, discussion, group projects, peer teaching experiences, practical skills sessions, experiential and expeditionary learning.

COURSE DETAILS:

The course is designed for future teachers and outdoor educators. It will explore the new BC Physical and Health Education curriculum focusing on how Outdoor Education can be used to teach the big ideas, competencies and content related to the PHE course themes of Physical Literacy, Active Living, Social and Community Health and Mental Health in the K – 12 PHE curriculum.  Introduction to Outdoor Education will use the new PHE curriculum to introduce principles and practices for teaching, developing, planning, and leading, Outdoor Education classes, trips, and programs. Outdoor Education is about providing challenging learning experiences, which engage students in a holistic way. A fundamental aspect of Outdoor Education is the development of a positive relationship between students and the natural environment. A growing amount of research demonstrates the positive physical and mental health effects of having students spending time outside in nature. This course emphasizes pedagogy, backcountry travel best practices, physical literacy, wilderness leadership techniques, teaching methodology, and a combination of hard and soft skills. Teaching processes include lecture, discussion, group projects, peer teaching experiences, practical skills sessions, and experiential and expeditionary learning. Please note: Due to the nature of the class and the assignments, attendance and participation are mandatory.  Students on the wait list should attend the first day.   Students must be able to ride a bike and must be comfortable swimming in deep water with a lifejacket on. A field activity fee will be levied in this course.

Dates and Locations:

Session 1: Sat May 6th, SFU Campus EDB 7608 9:00 am-4:50pm
Session 2: Sat May 13th Buntzen Lake – Backcountry Leadership and Travel 9:00 am-4:50pm

Session 3: Sat May 27th Granville Island – Kayak and SUP Skill Development 9:00 am-4:50pm
Session 4: Sat June 3rd Buntzen Lake – Canoe Skill Development - 9:00 am-4:50pm
Session 5: Sun June 4th Belcarra – Twin Islands – Canoe Leadership and Tripping 9:00 am-4:50pm
Session 6: Sat June 10th Coquitlam River - Cycling Skills and Leadership 9:00 am-4:50pm
Session 7: Sat June 17th Granville Island - Kayak and SUP Safety and Leadership  9:00 am-4:50pm

Grading

  • Trip Planning Project 25%
  • Participation 30%
  • Leadership Assignments 20%
  • Outdoor Educator Reflection Paper 15%
  • Teaching Topics 10%

NOTES:

Course field experiences necessitate course fees that cover selected travel, equipment, land use permits, camping fees, and 3rd-party instructor fees. Every effort is made to minimize these costs.

REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Students must provide their own camping gear, food, and clothing.
  2. Students must be able to ride a bike and have access to a bicycle for Session #6.
  3. Students must be comfortable swimming in deep water with a lifejacket on.
  4. All students will be required to sign waivers
  5. Students will be responsible for their own transportation to and from all locations. The instructors and the university are not responsible for students when they are going to and from meeting points, or for organizing or arranging transportation to the various locations. Students will also be responsible for all transportation costs such as gas, ferries, etc.

Applied learning experience dates and locations are tentatively scheduled, but may change due to one or more of the following factors: Covid safety protocols, group readiness and preparation, weather or other environmental conditions, equipment, or availability of field staff for supervision. 

 

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

BC Physical and Health Education Curriculum
https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum/physical-health-education

RECOMMENDED READING:

Andrew Foran, Kevin Redmond, Sean Dwyer. Quality Lesson Plans for Outdoor Education  Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2010
ISBN: 9780736071314

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.