Course Objectives

The aim of the course is to provide students with an understanding of problems related to the teaching about outdoor activities. Students will develop an understanding of pedagogic and didactic theory related to guiding outdoor activities. Practical experience will provide students with knowledge of how outdoor education may be used in schools, institutions and organisations.

Course Description

• Educational problems in relation to outdoor activities
• Didactic and methodological problems related to teaching outdoor life
• Didactics and planning teaching
• The position and opportunities of outdoor activities within various schools, organisations and institutions
• Socialisation in and through outdoor life
• Group dynamics, collaboration and management
• The role of instructor: various aspects and functions
• Presentation techniques
• Student practice
• Individual hikes/trips to the forest/mountains
• Travelling along the coast or on waterways with the mentor guide

Students shall carry out two periods of practical experience of eight days in total during the academic year. Practical experience plans should be submitted before and after the periods have been completed. The practical experience is followed up by a joint seminar in which students present pedagogical problems of interest which they encountered during the practical experience period.

Students must carry out an individual trip (4 days) and a trip with a mentor guide (6 days) at the end of the spring semester. For the trip with the mentor guide, students may choose between the specialisations coast or waterways. Through the trip with the mentor guide, students should develop an understanding of the guidance role and its various aspects and functions. The trip will develop the students’ skills and knowledge within the chosen specialisation to a level where they will be capable of leading trips with groups according to the following guidelines: choice of trip according to ability, choice according to the group’s ability and in relation to the demands of the area chosen.

Coastline specialisation, skills and knowledge:

• The importance of having enough energy in store when setting off on trips and hikes; choosing destinations and routes in accordance to one’s abilities, safety and realistic goals
• Trip planning, sailing/rowing journeys in groups; safety and guidelines for outings
• Didactics: journey guidelines, procedures, organisation, working methods, management and leadership
• The guide’s various roles
• Sailing and rowing in small boats rigged with spritsails, tacking, reach, range and height, drift, ballast and packing of boats
• Navigation: charts, choice of area, bearing, sea route rules, compass, sailing a course
• Weather, wind and currents
• Choice of refuge harbour, mooring
• Ropes: rigging, knots, splicing, tackling
• The inhabitants of coastal Norway: the use of the coastal area in a cultural-historical perspective
• Coastal Nature

Waterways specialisation, skills and knowledge:

• The importance of having enough energy in store when setting off on trips and hikes; choosing destinations and routes in accordance with one’s abilities, safety and realistic goals
• Trip planning, sailing/rowing trips in groups, safety and guidelines for outings
• The various roles of the guide
• Paddling canoes on calm water and in rapids, basic paddling techniques
• Inspection: being able to read and understand currents and waves, safe choice of routes
• Lifesaving: saving oneself and others in calm water and rapids, wading
• Orientation and route choice, reading charts and choice of destination,
• Fishing: use of simple equipment and nets
• The inhabitants of coastal Norway: the use of the coastal area in a cultural-historical perspective
• The nature of the waterways

Learning Methods

The course is taught during the autumn and spring semesters. Students will also receive continuous instruction in guiding methodology in the practical courses: 1211 Outdoor Life Mountains/Forest and Waterways and 1213 Outdoor Life Winter I. These two courses provide practical examples of how didactics and methodology are utilised within the various branches of outdoor education.
The course includes lectures, obligatory practice (8 days), an obligatory practice seminar, group work concerning problems students encounter during their practice period, obligatory individual trips (4 days) and a trip with a mentor guide along the coast or waterways (6 days). During their practice period, the students will adopt an independent and responsible role, but work within the framework drafted by the respective school, institution or organisation. See also ‘directions for student practice’ in the general part of the study plan.

NB! All introductions to trips and group work concerning planning are obligatory

Assessment Methods

Individual written examination, three-day graded take-home examination. Students must first complete their practical experience and have it approved, participated in the practical experience seminar and handed in two approved practical experience reports to be eligible to take the examination.

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