FG-130 Fjords and Glaciers - Wild Pedagogies

Contents and structure

The course builds on the Norwegian tradition of friluftsliv (outdoor life) in a pedagogical context. The didactics of outdoor life, the philosophy of outdoor life and the link between outdoor life and environmental issues are the basic elements of the course. Another aim of the course is to make students realize how humans affect nature and how nature affects culture in terms of past and present development in society. Through excursions, students will experience the typical landscape of western Norway as experiential learning environments. The students will do this by exploring, stay, live, and travel mountains, lakes, fjords, and glaciers.

The course provides additional qualifications for students in teacher education, pre-school teacher education, physical education, social work studies and environmental studies. Successful completion of the course qualifies for 30 ECTS credits.

The course is structured around four different 2-3-day excursions and the following types of nature are visited:

• glacier
• mountain
• lakes, water systems and forest
• sea- and fjordsystems

In addition, students are going on individual trips for 1-3 days, and different day-excursions.

As a part of the study, the students have teaching practice in camp school and visit kindergarten, primary or secondary school.

Learning Outcome

After completion of the course the student will have acquired the following learning outcomes, defined as knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

The student:

• has knowledge of the tradition of mountain and glacier walking in Norwegian outdoor life
• has knowledge of glaciers, mountains, forest, sea, and watery systems in a friluftsliv (outdoor life) perspective
• has knowledge of environmental issues, conservation policy, ecophilosophy, wild pedagogies in relation to outdoor life
• is familiar with harvesting from nature
• can update his/her knowledge of outdoor life pedagogy
• has knowledge of the value of playing games in nature

Skills

The student:

• masters teaching in the outdoors
• masters glacier hiking
• masters mountain hiking, spending nights in tents, lavvus or cabins
• masters canoeing/kayaking/snorkeling in sea and watery systems
• masters living in nature
• masters fishing
• masters play and games in nature

General Competence

The student:

• can plan, lead and evaluate outdoor education trips/excursions in a safe manner for beginners
• can reflect on different pedagogies, didactics and methods in outdoor education
• can identify dangers and take care of safety in different environments
• can swim and rescue, conduct CPR and first aid

Entry requirements

None

Recommended previous knowledge

Be prepared for overnight excursions in nature and be able to carry a backpack.

Teaching methods

Outdoor activities are the basic method and starting point for all other methods in use throughout the course

• trips and excursions in various types of nature
• lectures
• seminars
• group- and individual work

Compulsory learning activities

To take the exam the students must:

• Participate in lectures, seminars, and practical activities in order to reflect on different pedagogies, didactics and methods of outdoor education
• Pass lifesaving test and heart and lung rescue in order to take care of safety in different environments
• Hand in the reports from:
  • Group report from the four obligatory friluftsliv trips
  • Individual report from a personal friluftsliv trip
  • Group report from practice

Related to planning, leading and evaluating outdoor education trips/excursions in a safe manner for beginners, and reflect on different pedagogies, didactics and methods of outdoor education.

• Master practical skills and show effort

The requirements for the different components will be specified in separate documents.

Assessment

• Individual oral 30 minutes exam. Graded from A-F (A is the best, F is failed). Part of total 60%
• Practical exam. Graded from A-F (A is the best, F is failed). Part of total 40%

Examination support material

None

More about examination support material

Course reductions

• FG-30 - Fjords and Glaciers - Reduction: 30 studypoints
• FKN801 - Friluftsliv i kystnære naturmiljø - Reduction: 15 studypoints