NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
ERIC Number: ED212392
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1980-Oct-13
Pages: 27
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Outdoor Education--The Past Is Prologue to the Future.
Rillo, Thomas J.
Although educators and philosophers such as Johann Amos Comenius, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Pestalozzi, and Froebel stressed the study of nature, outdoor education really began with the first teaching-learning act which occurred outdoors. The human being, physiologically and psychologically adapted for outdoor existence, has only been indoors for 2,000 of the 3 million years human life has existed. Evolution of the outdoor movement can be traced through several phases: early "Homo sapien"--the outdoor animal; agricultural revolution; educational revolution; the nature study idea; organized camping movement; conservation education movement; public school camping; outdoor education; environmental education; environmental ecological education; experiential education; and future "Homo sapien"-- the outdoor animal. Some proposals for future outdoor education include: (1) inclusion of senior citizens and associated programs as part of the total outdoor program; (2) incorporation of public relations; (3) research on interesting the masses of children and adults in outdoor education, with emphasis on attracting minority group interest; (4) leadership development at the college level; (5) increased community involvement; (6) development of resources within reach which do not require reliance on fossil fuels for transportation; (7) a stronger national organization for outdoor and/or environmental education; and (8) opportunities for the handicapped, families, and rural and urban residents to explore the other's environment. (AW)
Publication Type: Historical Materials; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Note: Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the New York State Outdoor Education Association (13th, Swan Lake, NY, October 10-13, 1980).