Outside together : outdoor pedagogy gains ground at the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles

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