Should there be LESS outdoor learning in South African schools?

Colyer, Sarah and Colyer, Loz (2008) Should there be LESS outdoor learning in South African schools? Horizons, 44 . pp. 28-31.

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Abstract

We think there should. OK, so LESS is a small UK based charity that stands for Limpopo Education Support Services. It combines provision of creative teaching ideas and resources for schools in the Limpopo region in the north of South Africa with voluntary, self-funded teaching placements for trainee teachers. This year 25 trainee teachers were involved in various projects, one of which was developing outdoor activity opportunities and resources in three rural schools. The South African PE curriculum consists largely of rugby and cricket. The aim was to introduce a number of other sports, including orienteering, and to demonstrate some creative teaching techniques for these. The pupils in each school took part in a progression of orienteering exercises alongside various PE sessions on outdoor gymnastics, dance, football, netball and hockey. The charity’s aim is always to make a sustainable impact, so a significant amount of effort went into providing the South African teachers with the resources and (in particular the confidence), to continue to deliver new activities, or existing ones in more creative ways. For the orienteering the project provided basic equipment (compasses, markers, punches etc), maps of each school and teaching plans. In addition, for one very under-resourced remote school the project provided several low ropes elements in the school grounds, and a heavily subsidised short residential course accompanied by some trainee teachers at Bush Pigs Outdoor Education Centre.

Item Type:	Article
Journal / Publication Title:	Horizons
Publisher:	Institute for Outdoor Learning
ISSN:	1462-0677
Departments:	Academic Departments > Institute of Education (IOE) > Initial Teacher Education (ITE) > Early Years and Primary Undergraduate Partnership QG
Additional Information:	Sarah Colyer is a senior lecturer in Physical Education at University of Cumbria, covering both Primary and Secondary PE and specialising in OAA and Gymnastics. She also enjoys the challenge of teaching and promoting PE to all the non-specialist primary students. Loz Colyer is the Deputy Head at Tower Wood Outdoor Education Centre, run by Lancashire County Council, delivering outdoor courses to primary, secondary, youth and adult groups. He is also involved in coaching Orienteering and both are members of Lakeland Orienteering Club.
Depositing User:	Anna Lupton
Date Deposited:	23 Mar 2018 16:00
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2024 08:00
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/3714

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