Through interaction with the natural world, Outdoor Education aims to develop an understanding of our relationships with the environment, others and ourselves. The Outdoor Education General course focuses on outdoor activities in a range of environments, including bushwalking, sailing, climbing and orienteering. It provides students with an opportunity to develop essential life skills and physical activity skills, and an opportunity to develop a comprehensive understanding of the environment and develop a positive relationship with nature. The course also provides students with opportunities to develop skills that will enable them to pursue personal interests and careers in outdoor pursuits, environmental management, or eco-tourism.
Prerequisites:
Minimum B Grade or exam mark of 65% in Year 10 Health Education and a minimum C Grade in Year 10 English; Excellent Interpersonal Skills
Syllabus:
The Year 11 syllabus is divided into two units, each of one semester duration, which are typically delivered as a pair. The notional time for each unit is 55 class contact hours.
Unit 1 – Experiencing the outdoors
Students are encouraged to engage in outdoor adventure activities. An experiential approach is used to discover what being active in the environment is all about. Students are introduced to outdoor adventure activities where they can develop and improve technical skills and apply appropriate practices to ensure safe participation. They understand basic planning and organisational requirements necessary for them to participate in safe, short duration excursions/expeditions in selected outdoor activities. They begin developing skills in roping and navigation. Students are introduced to personal skills and interpersonal skills, including self-awareness, communication and leadership. Features of natural environments and examples of local environmental management and ‘Leave No Trace’ principles are introduced.
Unit 2 – Facing challenges in the outdoors
This unit offers the opportunity to engage in a range of outdoor activities that pose challenges and encourage students to step outside their comfort zone. Students consider planning and resource requirements related to extended excursions/short-duration expeditions. They are introduced to simple risk assessment models to assist decision making and apply safe practices to cope with challenging situations and environments. They develop time management and goal setting skills to work with others and explore strategies for building group relationships. They understand the main styles of leadership and how to use strategies to promote effective groups. Features of natural environments and components of the weather are introduced. Conservation, biodiversity and environmental management plans are also introduced.
Assessments:
To be advised
More Information:
For further information regarding this course click here.