Community educators as adventure ed. experts (5cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Objective

Students:
• are familiar with the foundation and competency basis of adventure education
• recognise the potential and applicability of adventure education
• are familiar with the professional field of adventure education and the different career paths within it
• have an understanding of the essential national and international organisations and networks in the field of adventure education

Content

Students learn the basics of adventure education and its meaning in preventive work, in supporting the growth and development of individuals and groups, in promoting personal engagement, in reinforcing the sense of community, and in promoting well-being. Students acquire an understanding of the multiple fields of adventure education, such as youth work, organisational work, education, producing well-being services, as well as nature- and adventure-based entrepreneurship.

Location and time

Contents of the course
- Basics of adventure education
- Meaning of adventure education in preventive work, in supporting the growth and development of individuals and groups, in promoting personal engagement, in reinforcing the sense of community, and in promoting well-being
- Multiple fields of adventure education, such as youth work, organisational work, education, well-being services, nature- and adventure-based entrepreneurship
Intended learning outcomes
After the completion of the course, students
- are familiar with the foundation and competency basis of adventure education
- recognise the potential and applicability of adventure education
- are familiar with the professional field of adventure education

Työskentelytavat
Mode of delivery
- online learning; e-learning, distance learning, independent learning
- assignments (online), quizzes (online)
- in Finland, 1 ECTS credit point equals 27 study hours

Aikataulut /Schedule
- 1st of June – 14th of August 2021 (we reserve the rights to change the dates)
- Self-paced course.
- Assignments and exam should be completed by 14th of August 2021.

Materials

Please notice
Students need access to electronic books or paper copies of the following literature:
1) Beams, Simon & Brown, Mike 2016. Adventurous learning: a pedagogy for a changing world. Routledge.
2) Jeffs, Tony & Ord, John (eds.) 2018. Rethinking outdoor, experiential and informal education: beyond the confines. Routledge.

Teaching methods

On this course, students will familiarize themselves with the basic ideas, concepts, frame of reference, and principles of Adventure Education. In adventure education, the focus is on experiential, activity- and adventure-based methods and processes, which are targeted to support and promote the growth, development, learning, wellbeing, and agency of individuals, groups, and communities. Adventure education can be implemented by an educator, instructor, teacher, or therapist, and can be applied in early education, youth work, schools and colleges, and rehabilitation.

The students will acquire knowledge about Adventure Education as a pedagogical approach. The course is part of the degree programme curriculum in Adventure and Outdoor Education, Community Educator (Bachelor of Humanities), at Humak University of Applied Sciences. However, this particular course is open for everyone interested in Adventure Education, and it sheds light on Adventure Education both in the context of Community Educator Studies and in general. The course is well suited especially for students in the fields of Education, Social Sciences, and Humanities.

Prerequisities:
not required, open for all