EDUC08029 2022 Working with Nature: Social Pedagogy and Engaging with the Natural Environment
Full Title
Working with Nature: Social Pedagogy and Engaging with the Natural Environment
Transcript Title
Working with Nature
Code
EDUC08029
Attendance
N/A %
Subject Area
EDUC - Education
Department
SOCS - Social Sciences
Level
08 - NFQ Level 8
Credit
05 - 05 Credits
Duration
Semester
Fee
€
Start Term
2022 - Full Academic Year 2022-23
End Term
9999 - The End of Time
Author(s)
majella mulkeen, Breda McTaggart, Brenda Feeney, Gwen Scarbrough
Programme Membership
SG_HSOCI_H08 202200 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Care Practice
SG_HSOCP_H08 202300 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Care Practice
SG_HSOCI_H08 202300 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Care Practice
Description
This module will revisit traditional modes of engaging with the natural world through an exploration of the folk traditions with an emphasis on the seasons and what they offer by way of materials or ingredients. The aim of this module is to provide students with an appreciation and understanding of how engagement with the natural environment and its associated traditions gives the participant a greater sense of belonging and connectedness. Furthermore, by experiencing the natural world students will come to understand the importance of place and space in the formation of identity. This module will be underpinned by social pedagogic theory and will focus on the acquisition of practical skills for the social care professional that integrates the head, the heart and the hands.
This module maps to the CORU Standards of Proficiency below:
Domain 1: Professional Autonomy and Accountability
Domain 2: Communication, Collaborative Practice, and Team working
Domain 4: Professional Development
Domain 5: Professional Knowledge and Skills
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;
1.
Examine the importance of engaging with nature in relation to health and well-being. (Domains 5.1, 5.4, 5.7).
2.
Use natural materials to create a variety of crafts, foods, herbal preparations and folk objects. (Domain 5.12, 5.16).
3.
Use nature based activities to promote belonging and connectedness. (5.1, 5.11, 5.12, 5.16)
4.
Explore the relationship between environment and identity. (Domain 5.1, 5.4, 5.12)
5.
Identify how engagement with nature is integral to social pedagogic praxis and can be applied to social care professional practice. (Domain 1.8, 1.22, 1.23, 2.2, 2.13, 4.1, 5.4, 5.6, 5.7, 5.11, 5.19)
Teaching and Learning Strategies
classroom based lectures, seminars and group discussion, outdoor activities
Module Assessment Strategies
Continuous assessment and project-based assessment.
This modules assessment allows for assessment of CORU Standards of Proficiency as follows:
Presentation (research project) 50% (Domain 1.8, 2.2, 2.3, 2.16, 3.6, 5.1, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.11, 5.12, 5.16, 5.17)
Learning Journal (reflective work) 50% (Domain 1.22, 1.23, 2.13, 4.1, 4.3, 4.4, 5.1, 5.4, 5.13, 5.16, 5.19)
Repeat Assessments
Repeat assessment will be decided at exam boards with input from the lecturer.
Indicative Syllabus
1. The importance of engaging with nature in relation to health and well-being.
- Walking, exploring and gathering materials in the natural environment
- Exploring interdisciplinary research linking nature exposure to positive mental, social and emotional health
- Dr. Ilardi's theory of psycho-social well being
2. The use of natural of materials to create a variety of crafts, foods, herbal preparations and folk objects
- Collecting and creating with natural materials
- Warren's theory of creative therapy
- Exploring the relationship between the head, the heart and the hands
3. The use of nature based activities to promote belonging and connectedness.
- Searching, sharing and showing in nature
- Recognising flora, fauna and fungi
- Recognition of the seasons and the rhythm of nature
- Developing place connections through outdoor activities
- Working in groups on nature-based projects (indoor and outdoor environments)
4. The relationship between environment and identity
- Reading the history of the natural environment
- Understanding and exploring the connection of identity, place and nature
- Exploring seasonally based celebrations, traditions and festivals
5. Social pedagogic praxis, social care professional practice and engagement with nature
- Exploring the theory of social pedagogy in relation to outdoor activities
- Exploring the theory of social pedagogy through the use of natural materials in the development of skills
- Exploring methods of working with nature as a social care professional across a range of client groups
Coursework & Assessment Breakdown
Coursework & Continuous Assessment
100 %
Coursework Assessment
| Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Presentation Research Project | Coursework Assessment | Project | 50 % | OnGoing | 1,3,4 |
| 2 | Reflective Learning Journal | Coursework Assessment | Project | 50 % | OnGoing | 2,4,5 |
Full Time Mode Workload
| Type | Location | Description | Hours | Frequency | Avg Workload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | Flat Classroom | Lecture | 2 | Weekly | 2.00 |
| Workshop / Seminar | ECCE Skills Laboratory | Workshop | 1 | Weekly | 1.00 |
| Independent Learning | Not Specified | Independent Learning | 3 | Weekly | 3.00 |
Total Full Time Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 3.00 Hours
Module Resources
Non ISBN Literary Resources
Beeton, I. (2008) Mrs Beeton's Book of Household management USA: Oxford University Press
Bethmann, L. (2011) Hand Printing from Nature: Create unique prints for fabric, paper, and other surfaces using natural and found materials. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing
Bruton-Seal, J. & M. Seal (2008) Hedgerow Medicine. Shropshire: Merlin Unwin Books
Buzzell, L. & C. Chalquist (eds) (2009) Ecotherapy: Healing with Nature in Mind. San Francisco: Sierra Club
Cohen, M. (2007) Reconnecting with Nature. Lakeville, Minn: Ecopress
Crawford, B.M. (2009) Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry into the Value of Work. New York: The Penguin Press
Dean, J. (2011) The Craft of Natural Dyeing: Glowing Colours from the Plant World. Kent: Search Press
Don, M. (2006) Growing Out of Trouble. London: Hodder and Stoughton.
Etherington, N. (2012) Gardening for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Special Educational Needs: Engaging with Nature to Combat Anxiety, Promote Sensory Integration and Build Social Skills. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Ltd
Fearnley-Whittingstall, H. (1997) A Cook on the Wild Side: The Indispensable Guide to Collecting and Cooking Wild Food. London: Boxtree
Harper, N. Rose, K., & Segal, D. (2019) Nature-Based Therapy: A Practitioner’s Guide to Working Outdoors with Children, Youth, and Families. BC, Canada: New Society Publishers.
Louv, R. (2010) Last Child in the Woods : Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. London: Atlantic Books
Marshall, R. (2003) Celebrating Irish Festivals: Calendar of seasonal celebrations.Gloucestershire: Hawthorn Press
Petrash, C. (1993) Earthwise: Environmental Crafts and Activities with Young Children. Edinburgh: Floris Books
Scheweizer, S. (2009) Under the Sky: Playing, working and enjoying adventures in the open air, a handbook for parents, carers and teachers. East Sussex: Sophia Books
Journal Resources
Annerstedt, M. & Wahrborg, P. (2011) 'Nature-assisted therapy: Systematic review of controlled and observational studies,' Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, June, Vol. 39, No. 4, pp. 371-388.
Berger, R. & McLeoD, J. (2006) 'Incorporating Nature into Therapy: A framework for practice,' Journal of Systemic Therapies, Vol. 25, No. 2, pp. 80–94
Picton, C., Fernandez, R., Moxham, L. & Patterson, C. F. (2020) 'Experiences of outdoor nature-based therapeutic recreation programs for persons with a mental illness: A qualitative systematic review'
Song, C., Ikei, H. & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, Y. (2016) 'Physiological Effects of Nature Therapy: A Review of the Research in Japan,' Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 13(8), 781
Stigsdotter, U. & Corazon, S. (2010) 'Development of a Nature-Based Concept for Stress Patients at the Danish Healing Forest Garden Nacadia,' Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture, January, pp. 35-41.
URL Resources
Children Nature Network https://www.childrenandnature.org/
Green4c https://www.greenforcare.eu/project-in-a-nutshell/
Thrive (Social and therapeutic horticulture) https://www.thrive.org.uk/how-we-help/what-we-do/social-therapeutic-horticulture
Other Resources
None
Additional Information
None