Outdoor Education as a parralel to classroom teaching:


I have two things to mention; two 'outdoor' expereinces.

Yesterday we went to Archery and Orienteiring. I learned a lot from the orienteering. I was conciously trying to help the group, but I didnt want to offer to much leadership so that I took over the direction.

It was awsome, because I was consiously aware of when I was over steeping boundaries and taking up to much attention, putting the momentum behind me and not letting the students carry themselves. However, at the same time I could offer help or guidance when it seemed like they were about to accidently sabotoge their own potention, for splitting up for exsample.

I could kind of give an overview of the whole group, and help to move them forward as a unit. it was really neat. Back in the classroom I reflected on, how am i doing here? I was noticing that maybe what was so obvious outside, if i was getting everyone simply to follow me, might not be so obvios inside when progress isnt so blatantly obvious. We were having free time with games when I noticed, hey am i simply making everyone follow me, instead of watching them to see what they are doing and helping them function to their best abilities as they work towards the goal?


The other time was walking back from a field trip outside.
It seemed like there was something to learn from how we were all walking back to the school in a big group. Lets just assume its in my subconscious now. :)     Being a leader is an interesting and somewhat scary feeling. When we are inside the school, walking in a line, and I am looking forward, and cant see the line up behind me but I know that they are there, that is one unique and new feeling!