Presenter

Maria Papazachariou-Christoforou

Thematic area

Digital tools for inclusive outdoor education in early childhood

Abstract

Outdoor Education (OE) in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings has attracted global interest due to its ability to stimulate children’s curiosity and interest, thereby transforming their education from passive to active through interactive activities in the natural environment (Lattarulo & Vandelli, 2021). It has been argued that OE provides children with essential 21st-century skills and competencies that cannot be provided by traditional classroom education (Özgem & Akçıl, 2022). These include learning and innovation skills, life and career skills, and information, media, and technology skills.It is crucial to recognise the benefits of OE and to ensure the equal participation of young children with varying learning needs and abilities in OE learning experiences. Research indicates that integrating technology into outdoor learning can improve engagement and enhance educational outcomes for all children, including those with disabilities (Kuo et al., 2019). Digital tools can enhance accessibility, enabling participation and fostering collaborative learning experiences in outdoor environments (Jerowsky & Borda, 2022), providing equal opportunities for all children to access and succeed, reflecting a transformative pedagogical approach rooted in human rights.

This workshop explores the benefits and challenges of the incorporation of digital tools for accessible outdoor learning, in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings. It also delineates effective strategies to use technology for bridging outdoor and indoor education, thereby fostering a coherent learning process for all children in early childhood. The framework and practical suggestions of this workshop have been developed for the purposes of the Erasmus+ funded project Outdoor4mi (Project number: 2023-1-IT02-KA220-SCH-000165552), with the participation of seven partners.

Target audience

ECEC Educators, Educators, Students in Educational sciences

Learning outcomes of the session

At the end of the session the participants will:

• Identify the benefits and challenges for the incorporation of digital tools in ECEC outdoor education
• Have a better understanding of the various digital tools that have the potential to enhance the learning experience of young children fostering equal participation in outdoor activities.
• Critically reflect on ways to use digital tools to document and observe children engagement in outdoor activities.

Special requirements

Participants should preferably use their smartphones or tablets.