Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Network 2017 Conference
The ECOLN 2017 Conference was held at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne on Saturday 22 April with a great offering of seminars and workshops on outdoor learning for young children in early childhood education and care settings.
The 2017 Conference offered sessions for those just beginning their journey in outdoor teaching, and also for experienced practitioners. Our expert speakers brought new information and insights into pedagogy for outdoor learning - but above all the Conference offered networking opportunities for practitioners to share their experience and build our collective knowledge base.
We are aware practitioners interested in outdoor learning may by paying for PD out of their own pockets, so we aim to keep our Conference affordable at $110/$80 concession.
Download the 2017 Conference program below. (NB not all sessions ran as programmed.)
The 2017 Conference offered sessions for those just beginning their journey in outdoor teaching, and also for experienced practitioners. Our expert speakers brought new information and insights into pedagogy for outdoor learning - but above all the Conference offered networking opportunities for practitioners to share their experience and build our collective knowledge base.
We are aware practitioners interested in outdoor learning may by paying for PD out of their own pockets, so we aim to keep our Conference affordable at $110/$80 concession.
Download the 2017 Conference program below. (NB not all sessions ran as programmed.)
eco_2017_conference_programme_final.pdf | |
File Size: | 605 kb |
File Type: |
Second Annual Pedagogy & Practice in Nature Education Conference April 22 2017 |
Nature play survey
Kids in Nature Network Cecile presented findings from her survey of nature play provision in Victoria. Notable findings were the rapid growth of the sector, and the uneven distribution of programs. The Bundjil Nest Project Balnarring Preschool Karen and Anne spoke about their work with Balnarring Preschool, the local community, and local Aboriginal people in developing a meaningful community art project to build awareness of Aboriginal perspectives. The project culminated in a large installation and major community event. Connection to Country Bubup Wilam for Early Learning Jedda and Angie spoke about the work of Bubup Wilam as an Aboriginal managed service, aiming to build a strong sense of Aboriginal identity and pride for children and community. A nature play session where children connect to country is part of the vision for this program. They spoke about ways that working with children who are Aboriginal is different from teaching non-Aboriginal children about Aboriginal perspectives, because their Aboriginality is part of who they are, not a form of content knowledge. They asked those present not to shy away from telling the truth about colonisation, and to make sure to let Aboriginal people speak for themselves. Aboriginal literacy Yarn Strong Sista Annette led a workshop on art and storytelling from an Aboriginal perspective, and their potential in early years teaching. Theorising practice Australian Botanic Garden Sam led two workshops on different aspects of nature-based practice. One was exploring the different directions it might take us if we choose to use 'nature pedagogy' as a term rather than 'nature play'. The other was on mapping as a place-based practice. What is in a name Royal Botanic Gardens Mick led a roving workshop looking at how birds and plants are named. |