The Outdoor Learning Podcast
A podcast about Outdoor Learning that brings together research and real-world experience teaching outside.
Derek and Chris, two experienced outdoor educators, have conversations with each other and other outdoor educators about various practical aspects of using outdoor learning. Our goal is to provide educators who are new to outdoor learning and those who are experienced with ideas on how to start using the outdoor environment in their education practice and ways to expand how to use it more.
The Outdoor Learning Podcast
Taking the First Steps Outside with Andrew Knorr and Denee Beauchamp
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In this episode, Derek and Chris talk with Andrew Knorr and Denee Beauchamp, two elementary teachers from Saskatoon who are embracing outdoor learning as a way to spark curiosity, strengthen relationships, and re-energize both students and teachers. Through stories of fire building, snowshoe design challenges, puddle exploration, inquiry projects, and outdoor games, Andrew and Denee share how simple experiences outside the classroom can create powerful opportunities for engagement, teamwork, perseverance, and belonging.
Throughout the conversation, they reflect on how collaboration between colleagues helped give them the confidence to get started and why supportive school communities make such a difference. They also discuss the impact outdoor learning has had on student attendance, emotional regulation, confidence, and classroom culture, especially for students who may struggle in more traditional learning environments.
In this episode, we explore:
- How Andrew and Denee first got started with outdoor learning
- The importance of collaboration and finding an outdoor learning partner
- Fire building with Grade 2 and 3 students using flint and steel
- Inquiry projects involving snowshoes, maps, soundscapes, and natural materials
- Supporting newcomer students in experiencing Saskatchewan winters
- How outdoor learning builds perseverance, teamwork, and student confidence
- The positive impact outdoor learning can have on teacher well-being and energy
- Why authentic, hands-on experiences help students who struggle in traditional classroom
Research Resources:
van Dijk-Wesselius, J. E.,Van Den Berg, A. E., Maas, J., & Hovinga, D. (2020). Green schoolyards as outdoor learning environments: Barriers and solutions as experienced by primary school teachers. Frontiers in psychology, 10, 2919.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02919/pdf
You can contact us and access our research, project ideas and more at:
https://engagedstudent.weebly.com/outdoor-learning.html
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