New Study Module in Open UAS: Adventure Education – Theory meets practice, 22 ECTS
For more than 20 years, Humak has been offering adventure education as part of our Finnish Community Educator degree program, as vocational continuing education and as open UAS courses. In the autumn of 2018, a new English Bachelor in Adventure and Outdoor Education (Community Educator) degree that focuses on adventure education was launched. Today we can proudly annouce a new 22 ECTS Study Module Adventure Education – Theory meets practice in English available for registration from the 8th January, 2024. Be ready and bookmark the page since there are only few places available!
Unique Concept of Learning by Doing
Humak has created unique concept to teach adventure education theories together with learning by doing. The theory studies are filtered through practical training, during activities, daytrips and longer expeditions. At the same time the participants are learning to be adventure education specialist and they can experience the major elements of adventure education, like group process or the excitement during adventure exercises. The studying follows the adventure education methodological principals: safe learning environment, technical-, social-, environmental and safety skills, reflecting. The knowledge will be filtered through practice and combined with experience. Learning by doing and reflecting is always present during contact periods.
The lectures have a long-time experience on adventure educational programming and teaching, as well as leading groups outdoors.
Adventure Education – Theory meets practice -studies start with the basics of adventure education. The aim is to provide participants with practical skills to plan, produce and implement goal-oriented processes while utilizing adventure education methods. The training is intended for people who wish to develop their skills in activity-based methods and in experiential learning. The studies will be conducted in outdoor environments and adventurous activities (games and plays, hiking and camping, kayaking and biking), but the knowledge and skills will be broadly applicable to a wide range of activity-based methods.
Studies put into practice the principles of experiential learning, where learning takes place in a triangle: individual – group – environment. Students play a key role in taking their studies forward. Students take on practical responsibilities during their studies according to their skills and abilities, with lecturers acting as facilitators. The outcome of the studies is that students will be prepared to independently implement adventure education processes.
For whom
These Open University of Applied Sciences studies are designed for a broad range of outdoor enthusiasts who are interested in learning more about adventure education. Studies are suitable as further education and training for people working in the field of education, youth work and teaching, and for those working in the field of adventure tourism and nature guiding.
These studies suit well for example for foreigners who work in Finland in the fields mentioned above and who would like to educate themselves further. Studies are implemented such that it is also possible to participate from abroad and travel to Finland for the duration of contact learning and field trips. Teaching and studying language is English.
Prerequisites
To participate successfully in the studies, students must be in good physical and mental health and have the necessary functional capacity to carry out the studies in practice. The student must be able to work in a variety of groups and social situations and act responsibly in a way that promotes safety. Students must be able to participate in field trips of several days’ duration, in wilderness setting, where sleeping takes place in tents and food is cooked with camping stoves. The form of travelling on these field trips is kayaking, biking and hiking. Ability to swim and ride a bicycle is required to be able to take part on the studies.
Students are expected to have suitable personal outdoor clothing for Finnish Spring/Autumn conditions. Students need also personal sleeping bag and sleeping mattress. More detailed equipment list will be provided later. Group equipment needed in the studies, such as tents, stoves, kayaks, bikes, will be provided by Humak.
Further studying opportunities: Path studies give application eligibility to degree program
After completing these studies, it is possible to continue to Humak Bachelor’s Degree Program in Adventure and Outdoor Education. (Community Educator, Bachelor of Humanities, 210 ECTS). These bachelor studies will further develop the adventure educator’s skills and knowledge and give a wider perspective for goal-oriented adventure programming.
Adventure and Outdoor Education (Community Educator, Bachelor of Humanities) path studies are module of studies included in the education degree. Completing path studies gives students application eligibility to the degree studies in question and gives eligibility to apply in Separate application. The studies will be credited in full if student is later selected as a Humak degree student in a separate or joint application.
Courses included in path studies are Adventure Education – Theory Meets Practice (22 ECTS) and a combination of other Open University of Applied Sciences courses, which will be announced in a short while. These studies will form the module of studies which are considered the path studies.
Cost of studies
The cost of the course is €330, which is payable upon registration.
In addition:
- Students are responsible for their own personal outdoor clothing and equipment
- Humak will provide group equipment such as tents, stoves, kayaks, bikes
- Students will be responsible for their travel to learning environments as well as lodging and meals during the studies
- There is variety of lodging options available in Röykkä and around Äkäslompolo
- There are restaurants/cafeterias at Röykkä and around Äkäslompolo
- Humak has an insurance for the activities during the studies
Teaching staff
Humak adventure education lecturers are highly trained and experienced outdoor professionals. Lecturers have broad pedagogical knowledge and good command in technical, safety and environmental skills.
- Kai Lehtonen: MEd, Special Education teacher, kayaking guide and instructor, hiking guide, ski instructor, avalanche instructor
- Eeva Mäkelä: Soc.Sc, ACMG Ski Guide, kayaking guide, hiking guide, rock climbing instructor, avalanche instructor
Contents of the Study Module
Courses included in the Adventure Education – Theory meets practice
- 2 ECTS Introduction to Adventure Education
- 5 ECTS Instructor Skills and Activity Based Methods
- 5 ECTS Experiential Learning
- 10 ECTS Outdoor Skills in Adventure Education
Introduction to Adventure Education 2 ECTS
Key contents
Students learn the basics of adventure education and are introduced to its possible applications in preventive work, in supporting the growth and development of individuals and groups, in promoting personal engagement, in community building, and in promoting well-being. Students acquire an understanding of adventure education as part of their professional field.
Instruction and Activity-based Methods 5 ECTS
Key contents
Students gain knowledge of group formation and importance of goal setting. Students learn to consider physical, social and psychological safety as part of instruction. Students familiarize themselves with planning, implementing and assessing a goal oriented instructional situation with a chosen target group.
Experiential Learning 5 ECTS
Key contents
Students understand the basic theoretical framework of experiential learning. The course focuses on the foundation, essential concepts and practical applications of activity-based learning, experiential pedagogy and adventure education. Students acquire basic understanding of educational processes and reflection in experiential learning.
Outdoor Skills in Adventure Education 10 ECTS
Key contents
Students familiarize themselves with a range of activities in adventure and outdoor education. Students acquire basic technical knowledge and skills in a variety of activities and gain experience of instructing outdoor activities. Students learn about essential safety procedures and basic risk assessment. Students familiarize themselves with equipment used in different outdoor activities. Students learn to promote sustainability in outdoor activities.
Why Study at Humak Open University of Applied Sciences?
Humak University of Applied Sciences operates in the whole of Finland and is the country’s biggest educator in the following fields: youth work, organizational work, work community development, adventure and outdoor education, cultural management, and interpreting and linguistic accessibility.
Humak has about 2400 degree students and about 160 experts in various positions. Finland’s unique open university of applied sciences system and Humak’s extensive online training make high-quality academic studies available to everyone with affordable costs regardless of students’ background. Thousands of students take advantage of our wide selection of online courses every year.
Description
| Studies | Open University of Applied Sciences
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| Method of instruction | Contact teaching, field trips, independent studies, online studies
Studying the key theories of adventure education and the practical learning in the field complement each other. The contact teaching and field trips will be supported by online and independent tasks that are closely linked to practical work.
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| Study period | April-September 2024
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| Study places | 16 study places, which are filled in order of registration.
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| Schedule and teaching methods | Implementation plan:
1. section 2. section 3. section 4. section |
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Registration period |
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08.01.2024-31.03.2024 at 23:59:00 (EET) |
| Contact person | Kai Lehtonen (kai.lehtonen@humak.fi) |
2023-12-05 16:06:48
