Learning in/with/for Nature
A staff development activity to explore the concept of learning in, with, and for nature; held in Regents Park, London for UAL Hourly Paid Lecturers. The session explored how learning experiences can observe, interpret and respond to natural spaces and the materials that can be found there.
Image: © Ilan Valdes
Key information
- Participants: educators, it has been designed for up to 20 participants (with the possibility to scale).
- Duration: 3.5 hours.
- Location: in person at a park.
UAL Hourly Paid Lecturers were given an opportunity to enrich their teaching methodology by integrating natural resources into their pedagogical approach. This 3.5-hour afternoon session, was designed to introduce educators to a multi-sensory exploration of natural spaces, facilitating interactive learning experiences. Seeking to venture beyond the conventional classroom, this session emphasized the importance of understanding different learning approaches in, with, and for nature. The group of 20 educators were further enlightened on how multi-species perspectives can play a significant role in driving environmental awareness in their respective course contexts.
The training guided them through the process of observing, encountering, and interpreting natural sites to connect students to environmental awareness more effectively. It also provided them an understanding of how site-responsive activities can help create diverse atmospheres for engagement and interaction. The educators were encouraged to adapt the learned practices and integrate found natural objects and site-specific resources into their daily teaching practices.
Images: © Alejandro Martinez
“The sessions focused on ‘feeling’ or ‘experiencing’ rather than ‘understanding’ or ‘theorising’.”
– Participant
This immersive session offered a chance to interact with nature through diverse engagement modes and shifting focus. The activity was split over 3 parts, with 45 minutes for each section – being in nature through imagination, observation and inspiration, interacting directly with nature through multisensory encounters and contemplating our role for nature exploring value, making and meaning.
The experience highlighted the importance of logistical planning in outdoor settings. The need for consideration of factors like distance, rest stops and potential distractions like cafes. This will guide how future sessions are organised, with either an adjusted route to eliminate unplanned stops, or an incorporated break to accommodate spontaneity and maintain control.
“I realized that there are many ways to incorporate nature and outdoor spaces as part of my teaching, and I believe students would enjoy to have this moment outside the confinements of a classroom to learn more sensorially.”
– Participant
How you can take Learning in/with/for Nature into your own work:
This activity can be replicated, either in the same location of Regent’s Park, London or in a park of your choosing.
Considerations to be aware of:
- Time of year / season
- Choice of park and route chosen, accessibility to be considered for participants
- Mapping of route to include toilets and refreshment stops if necessary (factor in breaks or avoid passing locations where an unplanned break could happen)
- Management of people is harder outdoors as people are moving, more disturbed and are more relaxed. Factor in additional time for unexpected stops/disturbances.
Image: © Heather Barnett
Contact
Alejandro Martínez, Curriculum Developer Climate Justice, London College of Communication, UAL – a.martinez@arts.ac.uk.
Ilan Valdes, UAL Climate Advocate.
Wing Hei Calesta Ng, UAL Climate Advocate.
Heather Barnett, Pathway Leader MA Art and Science, Central Saint Martins, UAL – h.barnett@csm.arts.ac.uk.