Sunday was spent working alongside Chris and Roger. They gave me more training on the day-to-day running of the course. I helped set up and inspect the course in the morning. This involved checking the condition of the cables for the speed-runners and the general condition of the obstacles. This involved a bit of undignified swinging around to re-attach some of the cables that are taken down over night. Roger also talked me through the correct procedures for attaching customers at the Zipline.
During the rest of the day I helped out with various instructor tasks. I took a turn at introducing customers to the course and taking the safety briefing and under the careful supervision of Chris I set up the Zipline for the customers and sent them on their speedy way. One of the younger children in the first group got scared and had to be rescued so I got to see Chris and Roger jump into action, lowering her from the course using the rescue equipment. The girl was obviously very frightened but Chris and Roger were very good with her and re-assured her as they helped her down from the course.
This situation reminded me that for some people the course presents more than just a physical challenge for some it is a psychological one. I think that is one of the big differences between outdoor learning and outdoor pursuits. Outdoor learning is not entirely synonymous with the adrenalin junkie domain of outdoor sports. For many outdoor sports may have acted as a route into a greater appreciation of our diverse environment but there are other avenues. From what I witnessed today some outdoor programs are equally as at risk of alienating children as a curriculum that is too academically focused. There must be options and an appreciation that everyone is different. Those using outdoor learning as a teaching tool must remember to explore different contexts and activities. Curriculum for Excellence identifies that almost all subject areas, and their associated experiences and outcomes, can be taught with an outdoor twist. How or when this is most appropriate is really a question for individual teachers to answer; based on their knowledge of the children in their care.
This situation reminded me that for some people the course presents more than just a physical challenge for some it is a psychological one. I think that is one of the big differences between outdoor learning and outdoor pursuits. Outdoor learning is not entirely synonymous with the adrenalin junkie domain of outdoor sports. For many outdoor sports may have acted as a route into a greater appreciation of our diverse environment but there are other avenues. From what I witnessed today some outdoor programs are equally as at risk of alienating children as a curriculum that is too academically focused. There must be options and an appreciation that everyone is different. Those using outdoor learning as a teaching tool must remember to explore different contexts and activities. Curriculum for Excellence identifies that almost all subject areas, and their associated experiences and outcomes, can be taught with an outdoor twist. How or when this is most appropriate is really a question for individual teachers to answer; based on their knowledge of the children in their care.