Immersive Nature Education

An introductory course for becoming an immersive nature-based educator

What you'll learn
Define ways to spark children's curiosity about the natural world
Discuss learning opportunities to connect with nature and encourage exploration
Develop awareness and understanding of place-based education
Build your pedagogical understanding of the natural world and the way it functions in education
Requirements
A willingness to learn alongside nature and be open to new perspectives and possibilities in your practice
Description
Welcome to this introductory course on Immersive Nature Education. I am Dr. Nicolene du Preez and I will be your thought leader for the duration of this course. During this course, we will take a look at what it is to design compelling nature-based experiences. We will look at the roles and responsibilities for you as a 'nature leader' and also we will take a deeper look at the how, what, where, and why of designing and implementing nature-based experiences. This course is designed as a foundational framework with solid background information for becoming an immersive nature-based educator. Hands-on immersive nature education requires that you are simply you! It invites adults and children to discover a world of simplicity. Simple wonders can lead to big discoveries and curious questions. Children will lead the way time and time again when exploring nature. They innately know that going into nature does not require you to travel far or go to specifically curated places. You can do as little as step into your own backyard, take a walk in the park or even look behind the bookshelf. You never know what you might discover.I hope you are excited to take this journey and explore the natural world through learning and education with me.

Overview

Section 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 Introduction & Welcome

Lecture 2 Hands-on Immersive Nature Education

Lecture 3 How this course came into being

Lecture 4 Place-based Philosophy

Lecture 5 Nature has no boundaries

Lecture 6 Extra discussion

Educators, teachers, home-schooling parents and practitioners, naturalists, conservationists, environmentalists