STO highlights a few key dates for the new term on which you can boost your knowledge and expertise of learning outside the classroom (LOtC) techniques and practice.
At this time of year the shelves of stationary shops are crammed with new diaries for the next academic year. If you already have yours, you might want to pen in a few of the following courses or events, to heighten your experience and understanding of LOTC best practice and delivery.
Friday 22nd September - Play In The Outdoors – Exploring How To Facilitate & Observe Play In The Outdoors, Bishops Wood, Worcestershire
Led by Lily Horseman of Kindling Play, in conjunction with the Field Studies Council, this session shows teachers how to take cues from children in the outdoors to facilitate deep play. It also asks what the outdoors offers for deep play, considers various learning techniques, and explores the ludic process to question how practitioners can use outdoor play to support learning and development.
Tuesday 10th October – Fundraising for LOtC, Wharton Park, Durham
Delivered by Janine Edwards from the Foundation for Social Improvement, this course will look at the funding sources that are most relevant to LOtC, including individual donations, community fundraising, businesses and grant making trusts. It is suitable for those who are just starting out in fundraising as well as those who would like a refresher.
Tuesday 14th November – Making the Most of Opportunities Beyond the Classroom, Jewish Museum London
This course is aimed at schools who want to move beyond individual teachers delivering learning outside the classroom (LOtC) towards a whole-school approach. It will encourage participants to consider what LOtC means to their schools, look at key features of good LOtC policies, discuss Ofsted opinions on LOtC, enlighten participants on how to evaluate their practices, and end with participants working on an action plan.
The 2017 edition of the CLOtC conference will take place at Ingestre Hall Residential Arts Centre in Staffordshire. The annual event features a programme of talks, seminars and hands-on workshops with experts in the field of LOtC, and also gives delegates the opportunity to meet with providers and other experts in the sector, to network and brainstorm. The schedule reflects the full breadth of LOtC, including school grounds, farming and countryside, arts and creativity, heritage and the natural environment.
Thursday 25th January – Developing and Reviewing Active Learning, Plymouth University
Delivered by Sally Thomson, this training day looks at the way in which high quality LOtC should focus on outcomes rather than activities. During the course participants will learn why it’s important to plan for learning outcomes, look at how and why to evaluate learning outside the classroom, explore different methods for assessing learning outside the classroom, and discuss how to involve young people in planning their own learning.
