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ERIC Number: EJ1070981
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1324-1486
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Making Connections with Nature: Bridging the Theory-Practice Gap in Outdoor and Environmental Education
Preston, Lou
Australian Journal of Outdoor Education, v8 n1 p12-19 2004
In this paper I describe my experience in attempting to assist tertiary students connect with the natural environment through outdoor and environmental education experiences. The paper addresses research conducted with students undertaking an outdoor and environmental education degree and focuses on the pedagogical methods employed in this context. I argue that outdoor and environmental education practitioners may benefit from moving away from a mode of teaching based upon "generic" methods and look instead to a more local, specific and contextual form of education. By describing an outdoor and environmental education journey in a local, "ordinary" place and students' experiences in unearthing the stories embedded in this place, I aim to provide some practical strategies to engage young people in a direct and meaningful way. The intention is to broaden the pedagogical possibilities related to facilitating experiences in natural environments and thus contribute to bridging the rhetoric/reality gap in outdoor education.
Outdoor Council of Australia. 150 Caxton Street, Milton, Queensland 4064, Australia. Tel: +61-7-3369-9455; Fax: +61-7-3369-9355; e-mail: secretariat@outdoorcouncil.asn.au; Web site: http://www.outdoorcouncil.asn.au
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Opinion Papers; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A