Abstract:
"Who among you has ever dreamed of teaching with
your hair blowing in the wind, lulled by the crisp air
that sharpens your mind and that of your students?
Despite the desire to reconnect with nature, there
are a number of reasons why you may be reluctant
to take the plunge; it is more reassuring to remain
in the familiar environment of the classroom.
However, there is a growing trend toward outdoor
education, which has been gaining popularity in recent years at the elementary and high school levels
and is increasingly being used in higher education.
One might think that the pandemic has contributed
to this craze, as outdoor spaces allow more distance
between students than a traditional classroom,
but this would be to ignore the benefits that this
approach can bring to anyone who tries it, whatever the context. With its slogan "des études grandeur nature" ("life-size studies," Ed.), the Cégep de
la Gaspésie et des Îles had to be part of this trend.
In the fall of 2020, a project was launched to offer teachers and the student community inviting
outdoor classes, representing as many opportunities to experience outdoor pedagogy. In the spirit
of cohesion, the four campuses of the Cégep de la
Gaspésie et des Îles—Carleton-sur-Mer, Îles-de-la-Madeleine [Magdalen Islands, Ed.], Gaspé and
Grande-Rivière—have worked together to offer the
best possible learning experiences" -- AQPC
