Leave No Trace Workshops August 19, 2008
Posted by Bill in : AccessCode, Experiential Learning, Leave No Trace, Outdoor Learning , 3comments
We have been approached by IOL to see if we can provide a venue for further Access Code related training for Outdoor Leaders and Instructors. The training would be based designed around the Leave No Trace Project. The training will be free and be provided by an experienced LNT trainer. More information is available on Leave no Trace at their web site. It’s hope we can run during October to February. I’m sure it will be a worthwhile course and hopefuly we can attract staff from the nearby regions to attend. Could also be of interest to Duke Of Edinburgh Award Leaders in the area by providing innovative ways of teaching about camp-craft and impact.
Abstract thinking. August 10, 2008
Posted by Bill in : Learning Organisations, Outdoor Learning , add a comment
Funny coincidence. Last night we had a fantastic meal at Abstract Restaurant in Edinburgh, and I have just managed to finish my abstract for my MSc dissertation. I must say I have found it the hardest bit of all. It’s below but next time I will put it in a better format as Fearghal Kelly’s blog has done with his work on CT using Scribd or something similar, I’ll look at these options when I get time.
Can Educational Establishments be Learning Organisations?
ABSTRACT: Current literature on the concept of the Learning Organisation often indicates that schools and educational establishments are incapable of becoming Learning Organisations as they often suffer from hierarchical and bureaucratic structures. These are considered as barriers for all organisations in achieving the Learning Organisation ideal. It is clear that as Educational establishments continue to be placed on the frontiers of change they could benefit from adopting the Learning Organisation concept. Although there is an abundance of literature on Learning Organisations, there appears to be a lack of literature and data on educational establishments as learning organisations. This study examines what the key characteristics of a learning organisation are by reviewing some of the main works on this complex and often vague concept. This work also reviews and selects a diagnostic tool for use within the authors own Local Education Authority to gather data on whether the reviewed and identified key characteristics of a learning organisation are present. A range of educational establishments were sampled within a Scottish Local Authority. The results of a web based questionnaire show that the identified characteristics do exist in the sampled educational establishments. Considering the results highlighted that strengths and areas of learning organisation confidence as well as spikes of dissatisfaction and areas for future work for educational establishments’ to achieve the Learning Organisation ideal were evident. It also concludes that the use of diagnostic tools which give an illustration of Learning Organisation Shape have a potential to support the delivery of Outdoor Management Development courses. The study also appreciates and identifies the need for further work on Learning Organisation Diagnostic Tools for the education sector and the transfer of learning using more coherent language, models and more considered, carefully designed creative and relevant experiential activities in Outdoor Management Development.
Now that’s what I call a sunset August 7, 2008
Posted by Bill in : Outdoor Learning , 3comments
Great skies and sunsets at Arisaig during a short Sea Kayak trip over the weekend. What a fantastic area.
There are more pics here on Facebook (might be restricted if clicking from an East Lothian PC!)
We did 2 trips. One trip around Loch Sunart with a wild camp on the Isle of Ornosay. This was fantastic we saw, sea-otters, seals and porpoises as well as experiencing great conditions..oh yeah and midge. Also a day trip (decided to come ashore after a poor weather forecast) off Arisaig on Loch nan Ceall. We camped further up the road that night and wow what a sunset. As you can imagine everybody and their dug was out with a camera! Looking forward to our next trip back there. We had intended to paddle on Loch Ailort with a camp on Ardnish. It will have to wait until next time.
