Nature inclusive teaching 2: Teaching with nature

In this module you will explore diverse (outdoor) relational teaching methods. Outdoor relational learning is an upcoming form of learning that creates space for students to explore human-nature relationships in relation to their study area but also their personal development towards responsible changemakers for science and society. Outdoor relational learning can support study motivation and the development of values and skills such as reflection, collaboration, diversity and inclusivity, boundary crossing, researching, ethics or feedback. Skills development is core to the WUR vision of education.

In this module, we explore the potential of teaching with nature to support cognitive, emotional, physical, existential and action-oriented domains of learning. You will get to experience and evaluate the potential effect and relevance of embodiment exercises (outdoors) and explore how to connect (outdoor) relational teaching methods to a specific course you teach and practise this with colleagues. This course builds on module 1 Onboarding, and dives deeper into the concepts and experience of nature-inclusive education while giving you the opportunity to practice in a safe space. A key outcome of this course is that you feel more confident and competent to implement nature inclusive education in your courses or curriculum. The course consists of two full days of practice and preparatory homework. 

This is the second module in a series that will allow you to deepen your understanding of and ability to apply nature-inclusive methods. Full series:

• Module 1: onboarding module on nature inclusive education and worldviews regarding human-nature relations. Consisting of self-study and several moments of exchange and reflection
• Module 2: Teaching with nature: exploring and implementing (outdoor) relational teaching methods 
• Module 3: Care in the classroom: supporting students in social-environmental responsibility and anxiety 
• Module 4: course & curriculum design workshop on the translation of the learning from earlier models into course and/or curriculum design.

These modules have been developed and will be co-taught in collaboration between NatureCollege foundation (Lian Kasper and Louise van der Stok) and TLC (Marca Gresnigt).

Target group

We welcome all WUR education staff who are excited to implement nature inclusive methods in their teaching and/or interaction with students. (Teachers, study advisors, programme committee members)

Pre-requisites for this module

Module 1: onboarding module on nature inclusive education and worldviews regarding human-nature relations.

Learning outcomes

After the successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• Experience and apply nature inclusive (teaching) methods
• Identify and reflect on ways that nature inclusive teaching can support the learning goals of the course you teach. 
• Facilitate an outdoor relational method and reflect on how to apply a particular method appropriately in the context of a course

Module 2 activities

Total time investment: ~38 hours
Contact hours: 2 full days: 9.00-17.00

During the first day, we will spend a day outdoors and experience a diverse set of outdoor relational teaching methods. The goal of this day is to experience and understand the meaning, impact, scope and limitations of these methods. 

Between the two course days, you will prepare an outdoor relational activity with peers which you will facilitate on the second day of the course. We will reflect on facilitation process and discuss practicalities of applying outdoor relational methods in a course setting in terms of logistics and adequate process facilitation. We will also reflect on the possibilities of using indoor methods to achieve similar learning processes.

Literature

More information will follow.

Costs

Participation is free for Wageningen University & Research staff involved in teaching in a Wageningen University Degree programme.

Cancellation

We consider registration as final. When cancelled within three weeks before the course activities start, your chair group will be charged all costs of your subscription (€350,-).
If there are less than 6 participants in the course, the Teaching and Learning Centre may cancel the course and notify you at the latest 2 weeks before the start of the course.