Course Objectives

The student will gain an understanding of the problems related to the teaching of outdoor life. During their practical experience students will learn how outdoor education may be used in schools, institutions and organisations.

Course Description

• Didactic and methodological problems related to the teaching of outdoor life
• Didactics, guidelines for going on trips, procedures and planning trips
• The role of the guide: the various aspects and functions of leadership
• Outdoors school
• Practical experience
• Trips with a mentor guide along the coast or waterways

Students must 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 practical experience periods. The practical experience is followed up by a joint seminar in which students present pedagogical problems of interest which they encountered during their practical experience periods. Periods are reserved for practical experience during both the spring and autumn semesters. The students must carry out a trip with a mentor guide (6 days) at the end of the spring semester. For the trip with mentor guide, the students may choose between specialisation ‘coast I’ or ‘waterways’. The trip will develop the students’ understanding of the guiding role and its various aspects and functions. They will also develop their 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 I, Skills and Knowledge:

• The importance of having a surplus of energy on trips and hikes; choosing destinations and routes in accordance with one’s ability, safety and realistic goals
• Taking responsibility for one’s own learning
• Outings in the wild: laws and regulations; the importance of leaving no traces behind
• Trip planning, sailing/rowing trips in groups, safety and guidelines for outings
• Sailing and rowing in small boats rigged with spritsails
• Lines, rigging and marlinspike seamanship
• Mooring
• Finding shelter and establishing a campsite, setting up a lavo (a traditional Sami tent)
• Skerries and navigation, reading charts, deciding on a destination, choice of route
• Food, campfire and cooking utensils
• Fishing: nets, preparing fish, superstition and fishing
• Hygiene and first-aid along the coast
• Weather and weather signs
• Maintenance of boats and equipment
• The inhabitants of coastal Norway: the Nordic boat-builders, sail-makers, lighthouse-keepers, fishermen and pilots
• Didactics: guidelines for outings, procedures, organisation, working methods, management and leadership

Waterways I, Skills and Knowledge:

• The importance of having a surplus of energy in the wilderness, planning trips in accordance with one’s ability, choosing trip area according to ability, safety and objectives
• Planning trips, paddling expeditions on rivers in groups up to grade II, safety and trip guidelines
• Didactics: guidelines for outings, procedures, organisation, working methods, management and leadership
• The various roles of the guide
• Paddling canoes on calm water and in rapids, double and solo canoeing
• Inspection: reading currents and waves, safe choice of route
• Lifesaving: saving oneself and others in calm water and rapids, wading
• Orientation on route choice, reading charts, deciding on destination
• Fishing: using simple equipment and nets
• People along the waterways: using the waterways in a cultural-historical perspective
• Waterways nature

Learning Methods

Instruction is given during the autumn and spring semesters. The course includes lectures, group work, obligatory practical experience (8 days), obligatory practical experience seminar, obligatory outdoor school (5 days), and a trip with a mentor guide along the coast or waterways (6 days). During their practical experience the students will adopt an independent and responsible role, but will work within the framework drafted by the respective school, institution or organisation. See also ‘directions for practical experience’ in the general part of the study guide.
NB! All introductions to trips and group work concerning planning are obligatory.

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