Changing Educational Paradigms
Ever since leaving school, I have been involved with educating people in some respect, whether it was coaching gymnastics, working with very challenging young people, or using the outdoors as a classroom. On many occasions I have found myself reflecting upon my own education, what worked, what didn’t, who taught me and what setting was best. In general terms, I learnt best when learning had a real life obvious tangible use and I was given opportunities to test it. This was usually with the support of a good educator (note not often a teacher!).
I have spent ages trying to capture a lot of my reflections on my education and that of the young people we work with today. In truth failing miserably, until I stumbled across this short film.
For more on the narrator Sir Ken Robinson have a read here http://www.sirkenrobinson.com/
I guess one of the biggest challenges to face educators today is that research suggests that the 60% of the jobs our children aged 5 – 8yrs old will have to not currently exist! How do we provide successful education for this?
I would love to hear your thoughts, so please feel free to comment (politely!)
Rob
Holistic Education, a few thoughts
I am currently studying to become a Forest School Leader. Part of the course is doing a whole load of short written pieces and I thought I would share them on here. My first piece is a few views on Holistic development / education, a question could be is there a place for these thoughts in Paddlesports Coaching?
I have been using this piece of writing from http://www.infed.org/biblio/holisticeducation.htm as my starting point.
“Holistic education is based on the premise that each person finds identity, meaning, and purpose in life through connections to the community, to the natural world, and to spiritual values such as compassion and peace. Holistic education aims to call forth from people an intrinsic reverence for life and a passionate love of learning. This is done, not through an academic “curriculum” that condenses the world into instructional packages, but through direct engagement with the environment. Holistic education nurtures a sense of wonder. Montessori, for example, spoke of “cosmic” education: Help the person feel part of the wholeness of the universe, and learning will naturally be enchanted and inviting. There is no one best way to accomplish this goal, there are many paths of learning and the holistic educator values them all; what is appropriate for some children and adults, in some situations, in some historical and social contexts, may not be best for others. The art of holistic education lies in its responsiveness to the diverse learning styles and needs of evolving human beings.”
A Forest School Leader using this educational concept will be able to engage with the entire learner, observing them, meeting their needs and most importantly being lead by their wants. Importantly this is not a laze fair educational/developmental attitude, delivered in the forest school setting, by hippies in the woods. In real terms it should be viewed as the approach of an intelligent, educated practioner who values all educational delivery mechanisms, learning settings, learning styles and number of learners. A Forest School Leader should be able to adopt an appropriate style based upon a significant amount of empathy with their learner(s) and understanding of learning in its widest sense.
Whilst it is possible to look at the entirety of a Forest School setting on a macro basis, it is arguably more important that a leader can assess each of the forest school activities / outcomes delivered adopting a holistic development style. From here the leader can then see how each individual part forms a part of the whole and each therefore seeing the whole value of each activity / learning be them leader or learner driven.
For this purpose below is a list of possible outcomes derived from the holistic approach:
| Physical | Social | Emotional |
| New skills and techniquesFire Triangle
Persistence Warmth Cooking Health eating Physical activity Collect & understand wood Tool usage (Saw) Creativity Understanding risk Fine motor skills Respect for fire Following instructions Start to finish working |
Communal feelingSocial skills
Negotiation Team work Sense of belonging Story telling Music Respect Conversation skills Sharing |
SpiritualSense of self
Magical Primal connections Peace Reflection Thinking time Connection to nature |
In summary, the Forest School Leader that is consciously aware and applying the theories of holistic development will be enabling the development of the whole learner. Thus, in a frame work of safety allowing them to gain, develop and master true life skills, whilst meeting the learners social, emotional and spiritual development needs.
Camp Cooking: The Black Feather Guide: Eating Well in the Wild
Whilst running a session on expedition catering over a fire at the UK Canoe Symposium the other weekend, I got asked the question I dread the most…… ’Have you got this written down in some notes?’
The truth is that yes I have some notes, some menu’s from trips and some recipes but it was not all in a easy to access manner, and I was kicking myself slightly for not having something pre-prepared.
Upon getting home, I decided that I would start writing up my thoughts and doing some research as to what texts are currently available on the subject. As I suspected there is some pretty average and not well thought out books out there, but when I stumbled across ‘Camp Cooking – The Black Feather Guide to Eating Well in the Wild’ this attitude quickly changed.
Written by seasoned expedition guides Mark Scriver, Wendy Grater and Joanna Barker, this book guides you through a journey for developing thoughts, attitudes and behaviours you need to have whilst catering for yourself and/or others whilst on a trip. It is practical in content and full of useful efficient, effective ideas for producing good wholesome grub.
With chapters on ‘Kitchen Equipment’, ‘Cooking Skills’, ‘Menu Planning’, ‘Packing the Food’ and ‘Recipes’, the book goes to great effort to ensure that you are comfortable and informed, when dealing with most conditions. Great thought is places around the practicalities of camp selection, management of water, management of food and what food to eat when.
The book doesn’t go into pit cooking, making clay ovens, cooking whole animals, trapping etc and I for one am grateful for this. As these things very often can require the inexperienced person using more calories in energy to do these activities, than they actually gain from them. My friend Jed Yarnold often points out that we have a lot to learn from the Japanese, who cut up there food in to small strips, and cook it very quickly using little effort or fuel. Maximum bang for you buck, although when you have a little time and more fuel this obviously isn’t the only answer.
So would I improve anything? In my opinion this book covers everything you need to consider when cooking on camp or on expeditions, I might add a few other tips I use and possibly some more recipes, but I guess you can just get creative on that front. Perhaps some more focus on using a upturned wok & a oven tray as a camp oven over a fire, for example as opposed to taking the additional weight of a campoven with you may have been useful. Maybe this is splitting hairs however.
I short, this is a well packaged, presented, informative and useful text, that will set you up (with a little practice at home) to eat like a king, no matter where you are
For my part, I am going to leave the idea of compiling notes, using this text as the answer for many people. I am going to continue to run great expeditions, offering people superb fresh imaginative food (even on day 14) in amazing settings. In terms of my notes, I will start taking better care of writing down my culinary creations and then publicising them on here for you all to enjoy.
If you would like a copy of this great book, please consider buying via this Amazon weblink it is linked to the great canoeing web forum Song of the Paddle, with a small amount of money from the book value going towards the running of the site. The book details are:
Name: Camp Cooking: The Black Feather Guide: Eating Well in the Wild
Cost: £14.20
ISBN 978-1-896980-31-7
Happy Cooking, Camping and Expeditions Folks
Past, Present and Future
The past year has been one filled with long days, hard work and experiences beyond my wildest dreams. No one ever said that developing your own business and having a life beyond it was easy, but at the end of another busy year I am enjoying my nights at home in front of the fire with Kerry greatly.
All sorts of things started of the past year for me, but my major one was marrying my now beautiful wife Kerry. We had the most superb wedding, at the stunning Leopard Lodge in the beautiful Magaliesberg Mountains in South Africa. Sharing our special day with our friends and family undisturbed is something we will never forget. Even the brief rain shower, added to the day making for a wonderful rainbow.
After a fantastic honeymoon on the Garden Route in south east South Africa, the order of the day was back home, into work and catching up after a month away.
Other highlights of the past year have been running a massive load of British Canoe Union courses, coaching in Scotland, a week white water kayaking with friends in the alps, 2 months leading canoe expeditions in Scandinavia and a month in the USA running more BCU courses. All told a great year and here are some of my favorite pictures from it…..
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The next year is looking to be the most exciting yet, with so much to do I haven’t quite worked out how it am will be fitted in! So in some sort of order here is what me & Elements is upto….
- First up is a month in South Africa including a couple of weeks of kayak surfing in the Indian Ocean
- First winter trip in Scandinavia (see http://wp.me/pzPqA-4m)
- Two months worth of Canoe Expeditions in Norway & Sweden
- A likely move to South Africa, with me having a large commute to work!
- Developing the ‘Adventure Dayz’ brand with a new business partner (watch this space!)
- Developing our range of BCU courses, delivered both by ourselves and with our partners
- My first Jo’burg to Zambezi road trip
I am also putting a huge amount of time, money and effort into our new sister company ‘Unique Adventures’. Concentrating on adventures of 5 days and more, we will be running high quality adventures from exploring Botswana to sea kayaking in Mexico to walking in South Africa to cross country skiing in Norway to canoeing in Sweden and much much more. As this develops further I will of course put more up here.
Lastly a huge thank you to all those people who have helped me and Elements to keep growing, Mark Dewhurst (for your continued support), Ian Flanders (for being such a positive influence and great friend), Rob Barrett (of http://www.metalfury.co.uk for our great website), all those others I have worked and hung out with and of course Kerry for supporting me at every step.
We hope your next year is fulfilling and look forward to sharing some adventures with you.
Elements partnership with Haglofs
I am delighted to announce that Elements is now working in partnership awesome equipment Swedish manufacturer Haglofs.
You will soon see the Elements staff team, warm, dry,safe and stylish whilst as work courtesy of this fantastic equipment. Also look out for picture from trips and expeditions the Haglofs website in 2012! To find view the range of superb Haglofs equipment why not spend a little time looking at http://www.haglofs.com
Scandinavia Canoe Expeditions 2011
This year I have been lucky enough to spend 8 weeks in northern Norway and Sweden leading canoe expeditions. During my time there we were fortunate enough to see Golden Eagle, European Bear, Moose, Beaver and lots of other amazing sights. I also got to lead many people through some of Europe’s most beautiful locations, often far far away from others.
The experience for me has been so profound that I have not been able to find the words to tell you about the expeditions. So with the adage that a picture paints a thousand words here are some of my favorites, I hope you enjoy……..
I can’t wait until my return in February and then early summer, drop me a line rob@elements.eu.com if you would like to join me.
I hope you have enjoyed all the pictures.
Råsome Vintervukku – Norway Winter Wilderness Living Expedition 2012
Elements is a ever developing company. We are always keen to take the ideas our clients, staff and partners have to offer a bigger and better service to all.
In partnership with RAW Røros we are delighted to offer you our newest course ‘ Råsome Vintervukku, a Norwegian Winter Wilderness Living Expedition’
Starting from the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage town of Roros famed for its copper mining, Reindeer and Sami population, we will travel 35 kilometers along a snow track in to the wilderness of the Fedmunden National Park. Your first and last night will be spent in accommodation the Røros area and after that home for the week will be a magical Lavvu base camp, sleeping in shared lavvus, floored with reindeer skins and heated by a log burner making for a truly wonderful Norwegian experience.
Surrounded by snow, mountains, frozen lakes and forest, we have the perfect beautiful environment for you to learn and develop many new skills and techniques. These will allow you to experience this stunning environment to its fullest.
Wilderness living in northern Norway is more than just dealing with the cold, and it can reach – 35°C at night!
During the week, you will receive in depth instruction, in the skills, mind set and aptitudes needed to live comfortably in this potentially harsh unforgiving, yet inspiring environment. These will include how to dress, campsite procedures for cold weather living, making emergency shelters out of both snow and forest materials, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, trapping & snaring, ice fishing, fire husbandry, whilst all the time developing the thoughtfulness required to live in this unique place.
Throughout the week your lead instructor will be Espen Holmgren, an ex officer in the Norwegian Army who taught at the Norwegian Military Arctic Warfare and Survival school. A true expert in his field, Espen delivers his knowledge with a passion and enthusiastic drive, allowing you every opportunity to learn.
Last but far from least, you will get to experience not only this unique snow clad mountainous environment but also some amazing wildlife such as Reindeer, Fox, Moose and depending upon weather clear viewings of the beautiful Northern Lights.
Your week will finish in the UNESCO world heritage town of Roros, with a much deserved sauna, meal out and the great chance to experience the last night of the towns famed winter culture and folk fair which dates back to 1854 http://www.rorosmartnan.no
Duration: 7 days
Dates: 18th – 25th February 2012
Instructors: Espen Holmgren & Rob Yates
Group Size: Maximum 10
For more information or to book please email us info@elements.eu.com or check out http://elements.eu.com/adv_hols_expeds/norway_winter_wilderness.html
We look forward to sharing this superb course with you.
Rob & The Elements Team
Scottish White Water Development – Part 2
A great week was had by all on our Scottish White Water Development Kayaking course, a couple of weeks ago. Concentrating on developing a firm foundation of grade 3 skills, was the key to the week and everyone made great improvements. At the end of the week we like to finish on a high, doing something which paddlers have deemed to be beyond them before. This week was no different, so after a paddle on the River Orchy, we found ourselves again walking up the Allt Mheuran in the Etive valley for some slides and drops….
If you would like to have a great week like this one check out our October 2011 dates here http://elements.eu.com/adv_hols_expeds/scottish_white_water_kayak.html
We look forward to paddling with you
Rob
Scottish White Water Kayak Developmental week
At the end of two cracking days on the water, we are sat in out awesome accomodation having a drink, reflecting on the day and planning for some more exciting ones ahead.
Today has seen a huge amount of rain arrive and found us in the Lower Etive valley. This saw lots of learning taking place and the folks experiencing some spectacular boils….. a real challenge, but a great one to develop active posture and blade connectivity / repetition.
I was luck enough to paddle a rapid that the group had a walk around
After that we had a walk up to a great tribitary that was in super high flows and I had a quick blast down, followed by a small surf!
More excitement to come
SPOT – Keeping our clients safer on trips and expeditions
I am always looking for better ways to keep our clients safe whilst away on exciting and very often remote trips and expeditions. In addition to this is can be exciting for our clients friends and family to track there progress along a magical multi trip in Sweden or a extended trip in northern remote Norway.
So after speaking to some friends, I have got a SPOT….. no not a dimple on my face but a SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger & EPERB.
When pressing any of the buttons on the SPOT, you send a message via satellite containing not only your current location in terms of a grid reference but also a direct link to Google Maps also identifying your position to within 10m. Now depending upon which button you choose to press this information can go to either the emergency services, the Elements home base contact or a massive list of friends and family so that they know we are all safe, sound. Lets hope they don’t get to jealous!!
The last thing we will be using spot for is to update a page on this blog with our current location….. what are we up to today?!?
I have bought this from Owen at Isle of Wight Sea Kayaking, he is a SPOT supplier and offers a superb service. To enquire about purchasing one contact him HERE
Another service provided to you by Elements, follow me on Google Maps soon
