Outdoor Education

Personal & Social Development and Outdoor Education: Critical Perspectives

Rationale

The purpose of this module is to provide outdoor educators with a sound understanding of the nature of personal and social development. The module will explore a variety of notions of personal development with a view to increasing control of ones own destiny and various horizons of significance. The module will examine the role of the educator with specific focus on facilitating supportive constructive learning environments and interpersonal skills.

The earlier parts of the module will concentrate on students' own experiences of personal and social development, much of which will model practices and a variety of approaches. A broad perspective exploring values and morality and ethical considerations of intentionally educating in this contentious area will follow before narrowing to examine current claims and practices in this area. Students will have an opportunity to work with others to integrate their understanding at a theoretical level to an applied context.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course students will:

  1. have examined their previous experiences in light of their own personal and social development. Furthermore, they will gain experiences during the course relating to their personal and social development.
  2. be able to analyse the appropriateness of case studies from their own or presented material in terms of their suitability for the development of personal and social skills;
  3. identify the influences which shape and develop values and morality and understand a number of approaches to facilitating growth in these areas.
  4. understand a range of theories relating to personal and social development and relate them to experiential approaches;
  5. gain experience and understanding of the practices, purposes and assumptions regarding reviewing
  6. have developed their interpersonal skills appropriate to working within an outdoor education context.
  7. contextualise their knowledge and understanding by identifying appropriate teaching strategies to maximise personal and social development using experiential techniques.
  8. analyse critically the theoretical principles, processes and conditions underpinning inter- and intra-personal skills as they relate to personal and social development;

Teaching, Learning & Assessment Strategies

A variety of teaching approaches are used. Experiences will be used to build and develop individual and group narrative understanding in an inductive approach to learning. Some lectures will be used to introduce the main theoretical constructs which are further developed through small group work and independent study. Students will be expected to complete background reading and independent study in order to meet the level required to complete the course successfully. Specialist speakers may provide additional input.

Indicative Content

Assessment

Assessment will be a:

  1. a written assignment of c4000 words.

Credit Rating

20 SM (Scottish Masters) Level Credits