Nature and Outdoor Activities
Course
Join our module, if you want to establish learning environments based on natural science in an outdoor context for children, youth or adults.
Study Programme(s):
Start Date:
End Date:
Duration:
ECTS:
Location:
Deadline:
Target Group
Students from areas of study such as Social Education, Teacher Education, or Physical Education are the target group.
Applying students will be enrolled in an existing course taught primarily in Danish, however students are provided with English support throughout the coursework.
Purpose
The module is of interest to students who want to establish learning environments based on natural science in an outdoor context for children, youth or adults.
These learning environments emphasize experiences and understandings of nature and natural phenomena.
The purpose of the module is that the student has knowledge about:
- Global environmental challenges, nature and phenomena of nature, and possibilities in learning and experiencing in outdoor settings
- The didactics of nature and outdoor activities
- Challenges in communicating nature in the pedagogical profession
- The conditions for different target groups who will be participating, experiencing and learning in outdoor activities
It is also the purpose that the students is capable of:
- Planning, conducting and assessing pedagogical outdoor activities
- Creating experiences with a variety of communicational approaches with the preconditions and perspectives of the participants’ in mind
- Including nature and outdoor activities in daily pedagogical praxis and developing methods for communicating nature
- Organizing and establishing pedagogical courses in communicating nature and outdoor activities with regard to the different preconditions of the participants.
Proof of English proficiency
All applicants for this offer must show proof of English language proficiency corresponding to a minimum of B2 on the CEFR scale. This can be done by submitting one of the accepted language certificates through the application form.
The accepted certificates and minimum requirements are:
- IELTS: Minimum score: 6.5
- TOEFL internet-based test: Minimum score: 83
- Cambridge ESOL examinations: Advanced/CAE or Proficiency/CPE - Grade: C, B or A
- Cambridge ESOL examinations First Certificate: Grade: A
- Oxford Online Placement test: Minimum score: 75 overall + 75 in each subtest
The submitted certificates must not be older than 3 years to be considered valid.
If the applicant does not upload an English test, they will automatically be invited to complete an online test issued by UCL. Applicants may also be invited for an online interview upon our request.
Teaching Methods
Teaching will primarily occur in Danish, though English-speaking “study buddies” will be assigned and will support the exchange students.
All counselling is in oral and written English. Active participation is required of all students. Thus, instruction will vary between being teacher initiated and conducted, as well as student initiated and conducted. Most teaching is outside.
Practice placement will be in a Danish-speaking environment where children of this age group usually do not speak English.
Conditions
In order to complete the module and obtain a certificate, the student has to:
- Make and present a personal portfolio for external approval
Students must be aware that:
- There will be some group work during the module. The lecturers form the groups before the commencement of the module.
- Students must be aware that communication with the lecturers, both oral and written, will be in English.
- The course includes a 3-day outdoor rough camp likely in the second week of the course. All activities there will be outdoors.
Special requirements relating to the Practice Placement element of the module:
Special conditions with regard to the student’s health and physical condition may apply.
Students with a criminal record will not be accepted.
Tuition Fee
Not applicable for EU/EEA-students and exchange students from partner institutions, all other students must pay. In this case, please send an e-mail to international@ucl.dk to learn more.
Activity 1
Type of Activity
Course/teaching
Name
Nature and Outdoor activities – Module 18
ECTS
1 (cannot stand alone; must be combined with practice placement which is planned for the course)
Workload
Period from June 3 – June 7, 2024 (dates to be confirmed before the start of the course).
Learning Outcome
- Engage with science and natural phenomena in outdoor activities
- Know different dilemmas in outdoor and nature communication
- Learn why and how to engage in outdoor activities
Activity 2
Type of Activity
Practice placement
Name
Practice placement
ECTS
9 (cannot stand alone; must be combined with the theory element)
Workload
Approx. 30 hours per week for approx. six-week period.
Introduction Workshop at Campus Niels Bohrs Allé. Date to be announced.
Practice placements be from Wednesday, May 1, 2024 until Friday, May 31, 2024, and then again from Monday, June 10 to Monday July 1, 2024.
Learning Outcome
- Prepare and conduct outdoor activities based on theoretical and practical experiences from teaching
- Reflect of children’s outcome of the conducted outdoor activities
- Adjust outdoor activities according to these reflections
The examination form is an individual portfolio.
Students will receive the grade of pass/fail upon completion.