Evidence Report for Outdoor Learning Development Officer

April 2016- Nov 2016

This report was created to demonstrate evidence of delivery and engagement and the work of the Outdoor Learning Development Officer for Education Scotland (0.4).

Outcomeswere set to complement the existing objectives as identified by Education Scotland.

Strategic Objective 1 – Ensuring Impact of CfE

Outcome 1.1: Curriculum pathways to highlight progression in skills outdoors, exemplification to be linked to existing progression frameworks.

Outcome 1.2: Engagement and delivery of OL pedagogy at ITE institutes.

Outcome 1.3: Engagement in PhD programmes at Edinburgh University to support research into quality OL and the impact on attainment

Outcome 1.4: Offer input at curriculum network meetings as support for CLPL on OL to embed understanding of good practice/links to attainment/ol research

Strategic Objective 2 – Implementing the National Improvement Framework

Outcome 2.1: Support partner organisations and networks to remain informed through the NNOL

Outcome 2.2: Continue support for CLPL on OL to Attainment Advisors/HMIE/SEOs in embedding understanding of good practice and links to attainment and OL research.

Strategic Objective 3 – Implementing the National Improvement Hub

Outcome 3.1: Support to access quality toolkits and self-evaluation tools

Outcome 3.2: Produce toolkit for identifying quality residentials experiences

Outcome 3.3: Migrate OL content and add new content to keep in line with current thinking and practice.

Strategic Objective 4 – Delivering the Scottish Attainment Challenge

Outcome 4.1: Ensure online community (PLC) is engaging, current and has impact

Outcome 4.2: Support for attainment challenge schools/teachers/practitioners engaging in OL programmes

Outcome 4.3: Highlight research to build capacity in the profession with regards to outdoor pedagogy.

Strategic Objective 5 – Developing Skills and Employability

Outcome 5.1: Support development of work placement HSE concerns on GOT framework

Outcome 5.2: Work with rural skills partners to identify, highlight and share good practice

Outcome 5.3: Ensure awareness of key messages of DYW agenda are with partners and network members.

Strategic Objective 6 – Embedding Digital Learning

Outcome 6.1: Continual updates on social media, highlight case studies on digital learning outdoors

Strategic Objective 7 – Embedding Inclusion, Equity and Empowerment

Outcome 7.1: Ensure awareness of equalities are present in partnership work eg residential centres support and capacity building

Outcome 7.2: Work in partnership with Equal Adventure and other funding agents to research barriers for disabilities in outdoor learning

Strategic Objective 8 – Improving our Organisation

Outcome 8.1: Continue to highlight good practice in OL

Outcome 8.2: Produce clear support guidance for Inspectorate to outline good OL practice.

Evidence

Outcome 1:1 : Curriculum pathways to highlight progression in skills outdoors, exemplification to be linked to existing progression frameworks

  • PE exemplification of Significant Aspects of Learning:
  • In partnership with Snowsport Scotland Skiing, Nordic Skiing and Snowboarding posters and teacher resources linked to Snowlife scheme now available
  • In partnership with ClimbScotland Bouldering and Climbing linked to NIBAS and NICAS schemes now available
  • In partnership with National Watersports Centre and RYA group set up to exemplify sailing and sailability programme, January 2017
  • In partnership with British Orienteering Federation and Scottish Orienteering Association a group is being set up to exemplify Orienteering and how this can complement the delivery of PE/PA
  • Science exemplification in final draft, to be uploaded to NIH by December 2016
  • Social Studies exemplification out to quality assurance, uploaded to NIH by December 2016
  • Expressive Arts exemplification group set up, work to commence in January 2017

Outcome 1.2 : Engagement and delivery of OL pedagogy at ITE institutes

  • Delivery of 3 sessions to University of West of Scotland to PGDE, and BA students.
  • Engagement with University of Highlands and Islands, Perth college to ensure content of new Degree in Outdoor Learning is meeting best practice.

Outcome 1.3 : Engagement in PhD programmes at Edinburgh University to support research into quality OL and the impact on attainment

  • Delivery at Edinburgh University PhD meet. 40 students present (OEERS 2016)
  • Continued dialogue with PhD students to encourage more research into OL and attainment.

Outcome 1.4 : Offer input at curriculum network meetings as support for CLPL on OL to embed understanding of good practice/links to attainment/OL research

  • Delivery at Network event for HWB
  • Delivery at Network event for Numeracy
  • Delivery at Network event for Learning for Sustainability

Outcome 2.1 :Support partner organisations and networks to remain informed through the NNOL

  • Attendance at ENFOR meetings (x3)
  • Attendance at SAPOE meetings (x3)
  • Attendance at RWLP meetings (x2)
  • Attendance at AHOEC meetings (x1)
  • Meeting with Connections to Nature group (x1)
  • Meeting with Scottish Countryside Rangers (x1)
  • Executive NNOL board created to support further network meetings; this will take place in March 2016 with a complimenting ‘local hub’ activity the following weekend for practitioners.
  • Keynote speakers to be arranged from Health, Environment and Education directorates.

Outcome 2.2 : Continue support for CLPL on OL to Attainment Advisors/HMIE/SEOs in embedding understanding of good practice and links to attainment and OL research.

  • Support meetings with 3 Attainment Advisors
  • Meeting with Attainment Development Officer on Nurture and Outdoor Learning
  • Draft document on Outdoor Learning, potential to print early January 2017
  • Engagement on Yammer to increase awareness of OL in attainment schools and current research

Outcome 3.1 : Support to access quality toolkits and self-evaluation tools

  • Revision of self-evaluation tool on OL to be uploaded to the NIH by Jan 2017
  • LfS self-evaluation tool shared at all events and networks
  • Shared HGIOS4 OL document across all forums; PLN, Yammer, blogs, twitter

Outcome 3.2 : Produce toolkit for identifying quality residentials experiences

  • Draft toolkit produced but following potential Learning Away Campaign Launch(Spring 2017) it was decided to wait until the NNOL to allow all authorities and partners to review, comment and amend before sharing widely.

Outcome 3.3 : Migrate OL content and add new content to keep in line with current thinking and practice.

  • 10 items finalised and will be on NIH by end November
  • 6 further case studies written and upload by mid December
  • 3 Research items to be uploaded by mid December

Outcome 4.1: Ensure online community (PLC) is engaging, current and has impact

  • Over 20 documents uploaded to PLC
  • Yammer feed now linked to main page
  • Input to Education Scotland Bulletins; LfS, HWB, DYW, EXA

Outcome 4.2 : Support for attainment challenge schools/teachers/practitioners engaging in OL programmes

  • Creation of ‘OL and Attainment’ group on Yammer
  • Open dialogue with four authorities (Falkirk, West Lothian, East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire) using OL for Innovation projects
  • Support delivered to Glasgow Leaders of Learning, Dundee Council and Edinburgh Council
  • Delivery of Glow TV meet
  • Delivery of EDU radio interview on supporting OL in schools.
  • Delivery at GfL national conference
  • Delivery at Moray Outdoor Learning Festival

Outcome 4.3 : Highlight research to build capacity in the profession with regards to outdoor pedagogy.

  • Sharing of all relevant research with Yammer, Twitter, Attainment Advisor lead, networks and NNOL.
  • Development of Scottish Research Hub with professors from Edinburgh University and Cumbria University to highlight and support current research taking place in Scotland to raise attainment through OL.
  • Sharing of all examples of good practice on glow pages

Outcome 5.1 : Support development of work placement HSE concerns on GOT framework

  • Continued discussions to add chapter to existing GOT document
  • Engagement in recent developments around AALS (previously AALA) and HSE

Outcome 5.2 :Work with rural skills partners to identify, highlight and share good practice

  • Meeting commence w/b 21/11/16 – aim to highlight a case study for uploading to NIH
  • Discussions with partners to increase awareness of DYW’s Foundation Apprenticeship Scheme to make clearer pathways into the Outdoor Sector.

Outcome 5.3 : Ensure awareness of key messages of DYW agenda are with partners and network members.

  • Input to DYW bulletin
  • Exemplify pathways to wider achievements and NGB qualifications to highlight positive destinations in the Outdoor sector.

Outcome 6.1 : Continual updates on social media, highlight case studies on digital learning outdoors

  • Delivery of digital learning outdoors to a number of different groups.
  • Shared digital learning programme/session delivery on PLC Outdoor Learning Page.
  • Twitter followers: 759 including a high proportion of schools.
  • Twitter 429 tweets
  • Regular updates on twitter, yammer and on the learning blog and PLC outdoor pages.

Outcome 7.1 : Ensure awareness of equalities are present in partnership work eg residential centres support and capacity building

  • Support given to UHI to design curriculum content for Degree in Outdoor Learning. Ensured that inclusion and disability awareness was a theme running through every module rather than as a standalone option.
  • Ensure that inclusion is in all conversations with partners.

Outcome 7.2 :Work in partnership with Equal Adventure and other funding agents to research barriers for disabilities in outdoor learning

  • Proposal for pilot action research with Stirling and Perth Councils currently in progress to The Robertson Trust from Equal Adventure.

Outcome 8.1 : Continue to highlight good practice in OL

  • Worked hard to ensure a quality image of OL is shared across Education Scotland.
  • All of the above outcomes worked towards highlighting good practice.

Outcome 8.2: Produce clear support guidance for Inspectorate to outline good OL practice

  • Draft version of inspectorate guidance to be completed by mid December.

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Impact Report 2016Outdoor Learning – Natalie White