Digital tools for outdoor education and game-based learning

Course description:

In the rapidly evolving landscape of education, integrating digital tools with outdoor education and game-based learning offers a unique and engaging way to enhance student learning experiences. This course is designed to equip educators with the knowledge and skills to effectively incorporate digital technologies into their outdoor educational activities, fostering a more interactive and immersive learning environment.

Participants will explore various digital tools and platforms that can be used to enrich outdoor learning, including mobile applications, augmented reality (AR), geocaching, digital storytelling, and online collaboration platforms. Through hands-on activities and practical workshops, educators will learn how to use these technologies to create dynamic lessons that captivate students’ interest and deepen their understanding of subjects across the curriculum.

The course will also cover strategies for integrating game-based learning into outdoor education, leveraging the natural environment to teach critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. By combining the best of both digital and outdoor education, this course aims to inspire educators to create innovative and effective learning experiences that motivate and engage students, preparing them for a digitally connected world.

Whether you are a seasoned outdoor educator or new to incorporating technology into your teaching, this course will provide valuable insights and practical techniques to enhance your educational practice. Join us to discover how digital tools can transform your approach to outdoor education and game-based learning.

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Competences to be acquired:

Knowledge about outdoor education, nature-based learning

Ability to effectively utilize various digital applications and platforms to enhance educational experiences.

Expertise in using online platforms to facilitate communication and collaboration among students.

Knowledge and skills on how to apply experiential and active learning methodologies in outdoor settings

Knowledge and skills on how to use games, drama and improvisation theatre in outdoor settings

Capability to design and implement game-based learning activities to engage and motivate students.

Competences on how to develop social skills and emotional intelligence through outdoor activities and games

Skills and knowledge on how to develop a classroom/center plan on non-formal indoor and outdoor educational activities

Skills to incorporate game elements into outdoor educational activities, promoting critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork in a fun and engaging manner.

Ability to do networking and create professional and personal relations with teachers from other countries.

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Training activities:

Day 1 - Introduction and teambuilding

Participants will engage in introductory sessions to familiarize themselves with the course objectives, agenda, and fellow participants. Through teambuilding activities, they will establish rapport and develop a collaborative mindset essential for the duration of the course.

Day 2 - Outdoor testing of game in natural area

Taking learning outside the traditional classroom, participants will immerse themselves in a natural environment to test pre-existing educational games. This hands-on experience will provide insights into the dynamics of outdoor learning and the potential of gamification in educational settings.

Day 3 - Theory, digital tools resources, and game design sessions

This day will focus on theoretical foundations of game-based learning and outdoor education. Participants will explore a range of digital tools and resources available for creating immersive learning experiences. Practical sessions will guide participants through the process of designing educational games tailored to specific learning objectives.

Day 4 - Designing and creating the game

Building upon the knowledge and skills acquired, participants will work collaboratively to design and create their own educational games. From conceptualization to prototyping, they will apply principles of game design and pedagogy to develop engaging and effective learning experiences.

Optionally, in the afternoon, participants can join a visit to Teide National Park, organized by a certified active tourism company. The visit includes stargazing with an official tourism guide who is also a Starlight Monitor certified by the Starlight Foundation. This experience will not only enrich their understanding of outdoor education but also provide a unique opportunity to observe the night sky in one of the world’s best locations for stargazing.

Day 5 - Testing the game

The final day will be dedicated to testing and refining the games created during the course. Participants will have the opportunity to showcase their creations and receive feedback from peers and facilitators. Through this iterative process, they will fine-tune their games to maximize learning outcomes and engagement.
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Methodology:

We tailor our working methods based upon the participants‘ needs and professional profiles in order to ensure easier adaptability and application of the tools to the real life.

Our standard methodology is based on active learning and it is highly participative and practical. We have a hands on approach that comprises group exercises, role plays, experiments, case studies and simulation exercises. We use collaborative learning techniques to foster the exchange of good practices and collective learning.

The pedagogical methods used in this training course are based on outdoor education, nature-based learning, digital education, non-formal education, experiential learning and learning by doing. Our focus is on showing the participants how the learners’ motivation increases when they become the actors of their own learning because the teacher takes the role of facilitator or learning guide. Thus, the participants get the chance to experience on themselves the benefits of the active learning methodology at the same time as learning how to apply it in their work.

Energizers, games and group dynamics are foreseen daily in order to ensure a positive energy and a cooperative learning climate in the group.

Group reflections and daily brief feedback sessions are planned to help adapting the learning programme to the specific needs of the participants.

Certification and validation of learning outcomes:

  • Erasmus + learning Agreement
  • Erasmus + learning Agreement complement
  • Certificates of attendance
  • Support with the Europass mobility certificates – to be issued by the applicant’s National Agency

Upon request, we also provide educational centers with additional documents that are required to certify the presence to the course and the competences learned. For example, we provide photos of the training course that can be used for dissemination purposes.

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