Pedagogical innovation
Madeira Outdoor – Experiential Learning in Nature
6 days
Experiential learning — learning by doing, reflecting, connecting and applying — is consistently identified as among the highest-impact approaches available to teachers. Yet most teachers receive little or no training in how to design effective experiential sequences, particularly in outdoor settings.
This course gives participants a complete theoretical and practical grounding in experiential learning methodology, using Madeira's extraordinary natural environments as both the setting and the content. Participants leave with a complete toolkit of outdoor experiential learning designs they can implement immediately.
Learning Outcomes
Participants to the course will learn to:
Design effective experiential learning cycles using Kolb's framework in outdoor and indoor settings
Apply Bloom's taxonomy and multiple intelligences theory to outdoor lesson design
Facilitate reflection, debriefing and meaning-making in experiential outdoor learning contexts
Use place-based learning methodology to connect local environments to curriculum content
Design cross-curricular outdoor learning sequences accessible to all subjects and age groups
Build a school outdoor experiential learning programme from a single lesson to a whole-year approach
Programme
Madeira Outdoor – Experiential Learning in Nature
Monday - Foundations of Experiential and Outdoor Learning
Welcome and ice-breaking through experiential activities: learning the theory by doing.
The learning cycle: Kolb's experiential learning model and its outdoor applications.
Multiple intelligences and outdoor education: designing for every kind of learner.
Workshop: mapping your curriculum to outdoor experiential learning opportunities.
Tuesday - Place-Based Learning — Reading the Landscape
Place-based learning methodology: using local environments as primary sources.
Curral das Freiras: geological, agricultural and cultural reading of a volcanic valley.
Field workshop: participants design and facilitate a place-based learning activity.
Debrief methodology: structured reflection questions and the art of the learning conversation.
Wednesday - Movement, Nature and the Learning Body
The neuroscience of outdoor learning: movement, attention, memory and emotional regulation.
Levada walk as experiential sequence: observation, question, investigation and synthesis.
Santana: heritage and human geography as experiential learning content.
Field workshop: designing a walking curriculum — learning trails for any subject.
Thursday - Ocean, Challenge and Experiential Design
Challenge and risk in outdoor learning: the research on productive discomfort.
Porto Moniz: designing outdoor challenge activities with clear learning intentions.
Seixal coast: open inquiry — participants design and run their own short outdoor lesson.
Synthesis workshop: assembling your complete outdoor experiential learning toolkit.
Friday
PLAN A — SPRING / SUMMER
(March – September) · Catamaran · Parque de Santa Catarina, Funchal
Reflection, Integration & Outdoor Synthesis
Catamaran excursion — whale watching, Atlantic identification and nature observation.
Group reflection on the week's themes in conversation around the sea.
PLAN B — AUTUMN / WINTER
(October – February) · Indoor · Escola do Louro, Funchal
Indoor Synthesis Workshop
Participants review, consolidate and present their week's learning.
Portfolio work and action planning.
Saturday - Reflection, Gratitude & Moving Forward
Group reflection and guided mindfulness in the garden.
Sharing best practices and personal highlights from the week.
Certificate presentation ceremony.
Group photograph and informal closing celebration.
Materials, digital tools & other learning resources
Course participants will receive training and engage in exercises designed to develop their skills as trainers. The provision of additional materials or resources will be determined based on the course structure and the instructor’s approach to meeting the learning objectives
Course package content:
Services and activities included in the course package are those described above. Please note that accommodation, transport, and meals are not provided.
Cancellation & changes:
Common sense prevails when it comes to cancellations, which are analyzed on a case-by-case basis.