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Outdoor learning: people, nature & the environment - EDU00063H

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  • Department: Education
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2026-27

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2026-27

Module aims

This experiential learning module aims to:

  • provide students with an opportunity to learn about and experience different approaches to outdoor learning

  • allow students to explore and critically analyse how outdoor learning can be used to develop connections between people, nature and the environment

  • enable students to design, deliver and evaluate outdoor learning activities for sustainability education

  • help students to develop a broad range of transferable skills

Module learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will be able to:

  • Identify, explain and apply a range of theories and philosophies linked to outdoor learning

  • Critically analyse the role of outdoor learning for developing connections between people, nature and the environment

  • Design, deliver, and evaluate an outdoor learning activity

Graduate attributes that will be developed during this module include:

  • communication skills

  • group working skills

  • project management

  • digital literacy

  • critical analysis

  • research

  • self-reflection

  • creativity and innovation

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100.0

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100.0

Module feedback

Individual written feedback reports, with follow-up tutor meeting if necessary. The feedback is returned to students in line with university policy. Please check the Guide to Assessment, Standards, Marking and Feedback for more information.

Indicative reading

Books

Cree, J. and Robb, M. (2021). The essential guide to forest school and nature pedagogy. London: Routledge.

Glantz, Matz ; Sandell, Klas ; Lundqvist Jones, Therese ; Andersson, Per ; Brügge, Britta ; Szczepanski, Anders. (2021). Friluftsliv explored. https://doi.org/10.3384/9789179290665

Grindheim, L. T., Sorensen, H. V., & Rekers, A. (2021). Outdoor Learning and Play (1st ed.). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-72595-2

Humberstone, B., Prince, H., & Henderson, K.A. (Eds.). (2015). Routledge International Handbook of Outdoor Studies (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315768465

Jucker, R., von Au, Jakob. (Editors). (2022). High-Quality Outdoor Learning : Evidence-based Education Outside the Classroom for Children, Teachers and Society / edited by Rolf Jucker, Jakob von Au. (1st ed.). Cham : Springer International Publishing : Imprint: Springer.

Learning through Landscapes (2022). Teaching the primary curriculum outdoors. London: Corwin SAGE Publications.

Robertson, J. (2014). Dirty teaching : a beginner's guide to learning outdoors. Bancyfelin : Independent Thinking.

Sobel, D., Bailie, P., Finch, K., Kenny, E., & Stires, A. (2015). Nature Preschools and Forest Kindergartens (1st ed.). St Paul, MN: Redleaf Press.

Wong Blonder, B. et al. (2023). Place-Based Scientific Inquiry. A practical handbook for teaching outside. Taylor & Francis. [Online]. Available at: doi:10.4324/9781003367192.

Journals

Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning

Journal of Environmental Education



The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.