Students visit Outdoor Adventure

Published 6 June 2012

Undergraduate physical education and sport science students recently attended Outdoor Adventure in Bude, Cornwall. The trip was arranged to focus students’ performance in a range of outdoor and adventurous activities (OAA).

There was emphasis on using a variety of complex outdoor activity skills and techniques including canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, abseiling, surfing and windsurfing in unfamiliar environments.

These activities incorporated problem-solving, team-building and physical challenges.

A student-centred teaching approach through the processes of planning, performing and evaluating was used to develop practical knowledge and understanding.

This process-based approach focused on learning from doing, ownership of learning and independent learning. By the end of the week students had experienced a choice of OAA in a residential setting.

With qualified instruction students demonstrated their knowledge and understanding of the principles of the activities, participated safely and responsibly, recognised and applied mechanical principles to safe and effective movement in the activities and demonstrated an understanding of principles of training and fitness applied to the activities.

Students learnt to appreciate issues related to activities in such environments, including safety and emergency, access, and environmental impacts.

Students also attended a series of theoretically-based evening lectures related to the activities covered and gained National Governing Body coaching and performance awards in the process.

Senior lecturer Dr Gary Stidder said: “The experience that students gain through outdoor and adventurous activities contributes significantly to the repertoire of skills they are required to have in their professional careers and helps to dispel the myth and any misconceptions that physical education teachers just coach sport.”