Using the outdoors in teaching
EIT is teaching its teachers to use the outdoors to further their success.
In a week when EIT was announced as a corporate guardian of the Hawke’s Bay Biodiversity group, the tertiary institute has brought together environmental educators from around the country to explore ways to incorporate education outdoors into an innovative learning environment.
At an overnight hui held at Mangarara Eco Lodge in Patangata, Central Hawke’s Bay, 40 educators shared ideas on how to use the outdoors as a teaching tool.
“We want to be sure that EIT students and practicing teachers have the learning experiences to equip them with the tools, knowledge and confidence to incorporate outdoor learning into their teaching,” says Professor Natalie Waran, who is spearheading the initiative for EIT.
“Our overall goal is to improve awareness and understanding of the environment across the whole community by promoting the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, leading to a better environment and a better quality of life.
“We see it is critical for the whole community to understand the biodiversity issues facing our region, and in fact, the world.”
Partnering EIT for the workshop were the Cape to City team from Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Air New Zealand Environment Trust.
The group was addressed by Air NZ Environment trust chair Ruud Kleinpaste by video link. He spoke on the importance of developing future educators who were confident and skilled in providing education in an outdoor environment. He acknowledged EIT for taking a lead in helping to achieve this in Hawke’s Bay.
The first day included discussion and hands-on outside learning where participants got dirty.
“We were definitely walking the talk,” says Prof. Waran.
University of Auckland Professor in Ma¯ ori and Pacific Studies, Dame Anne Salmond, introduced the work of Wild Lab. Dame Anne and her husband Jeremy founded the Waikereru Ecosanctuary. The Ecosanctuary is a haven for rare and endangered species of native birds, plants and animals inland from Gisborne city.
Together with award-winning creatives Peter and Ellen Jarrat, the Salmonds have created Wild Lab where artist-scientists of all ages are involved in multisensory activities and challenges.
Other sessions were led by director of the Wilf Malcolm Institute of Educational Research at Waikato University, Professor Bronwen Cowie. She presented national and international perspectives on using the environment as a context for learning with the aim of providing quality educational outcomes.
Enviroschools’ national manager Esther Kirk, assisted by regional coordinator Sally Chandler spoke on that organisation’s kaupapa.
Department of Conservation’s North Island education regional coordinator Ben Moorehouse outlined the department’s environmental education perspective.
In addition, Mangarara Farm owners, Greg and Rachel Hart shared Mangarara Farm’s approach to regenerative agriculture that embraces connected landscape and people.
On the second day, EIT Bachelor of Teaching primary and early childhood teams brainstormed how they could incorporate all they had learned about using outdoor spaces into their teaching.