Course Objectives

The course will provide knowledge of the main characteristics, intrinsic qualities and basic theoretical perspectives on outdoor life and education, and form a basis for pedagogic work within the field. Students will develop the ability to analyse their own and others’ contributions within the sphere of outdoor life and education. In conjunction with other courses, the course will provide the basic knowledge and values for acquiring skills as a guide. Central concepts in this subject are the value and potential opportunities of outdoor life, and the problems and opportunities related to realising these in outdoor education.

Course Description

- The group as a social-psychological phenomenon and as a learning method.

- Learning in the outdoors

- Guidance methodology

- Outdoor recreation and pedagogical traditions

- Knowledge, learning and experience

- Outdoor life, identity and personal development

- Outdoor activities as a learning pathway, particularly in schools

- Outdoor life and public health

- Practical training. Students are responsible for finding an appropriate training placement, which must be approved by the teacher. On the basis of the training period, students will submit a memo / abstract, which will be presented at the mandatory practice seminar.

In addition, students will continue to follow the specialization they chose in the course 1264, either: coast – sailing; mountains / glaciers; waterways; coast – kayaking.

Coast - sailing, specialisation III, skills and knowledge

• Further knowledge of pedagogical and didactic problems in connection with guiding using traditional work boats along the coast, including didactics: trip norms, procedures, organisation and leadership.
• Further knowledge with regard to sailing a boat along the coast, including: Choice of area, safety, weather, wind, currents, trip planning, rescuing members of the group and first aid.
• Further skills in the use of open square sail boats (råriggede båter), including precise manoeuvring in difficult harbours and navigation under difficult conditions.
• Further skills in the maintenance of boats and equipment, rigging and sails.
• Further knowledge of coast nature and culture.

Mountains/glaciers, specialisation II, skills and knowledge

• Further insight into pedagogical and didactic problems in connection to guiding in the high mountains, including didactics: trip norms, procedures, organisation, and leadership.
• Further knowledge of alpine skiing and mountain climbing, including choice of area, safety, weather, wind, avalanches, trip planning, rescuing members of the group and first aid. Further skills in alpine skiing and mountain climbing, including orientation and choice of routes, safety in the mountains and on steep snow slopes, skiing technique.

Waterways, specialisation III, skills and knowledge

• Further insight into pedagogical and didactic problems related to guiding with canoes on rivers up to level II+ and III-, including didactics: trip norms, procedures, organisation, supervision and leadership.
• Further knowledge of using canoes on rivers, including choice of area, safety, weather, wind and currents, planning trips, rescuing members of the group and first aid. Further skills in solo and double canoe paddling.
• Further knowledge of the nature and culture of waterways.

Coast - kayak, specialisation II, skills and knowledge

• Further knowledge in using a kayak along the coast, including: the choice of area, safety, weather, wind, currents, trip planning, rescue and first aid. Further skills in kayaking.
• Further understanding of pedagogical and didactic problems related to guidance skills in using a kayak along the coast, including: didactics, trip norms, procedures, organisation, management and leadership.
• Navigation, including offshore and at night using lights and between sectors.
• The guide’s different roles.
• Guidance, planning and implementation of educational programmes.
• Further knowledge of the coastal landscape and coastal culture.
• Knowledge of NPF and their educational system, physical training, error correction.

(Corresponds to NPF’s activities leader course).

Learning Methods

The course is taught in the spring semester.

Teaching and learning methods include independent work, lectures, seminars, study groups, practice (10 days), instruction and practical / problem-orientated guiding in connection with trips in an optional physical environment. The trips consist of 7 days in the chosen physical environment. The trips, practice and seminars are obligatory.

Assessment Methods

Individual written home examination. Graded marks. In order to receive a diploma students must first have participated actively in all the obligatory trips and seminars, successfully completed their practice period, submitted approved practice reports and approved portfolios in their chosen specialisation.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean