This article presents a case study of a school class for children with special needs in a Greenlandic elementary school, where education outside the classroom (EOtC) is practised by using hunting and other traditional use of Greenlandic nature as a foundation for interdisciplinary teaching. The stud…
This article presents a case study of a school class for children with special needs in a Greenlandic elementary school, where education outside the classroom (EOtC) is practised by using hunting and other traditional use of Greenlandic nature as a foundation for interdisciplinary teaching. The students live in a residential institution because they have been exposed to neglect and traumatic events at home. That has caused that they have been relocated from their family and hometown and have changed school. The study examines how students respond to school, when hunting, the Greenlandic dog sled and traditional use of Greenlandic plants are used in the school’s lessons. Observation and interviews show that this form of teaching motivates students and have at positive impact on their academic performance and social and personal development. Mastery experiences, authenticity, a smooth room and positive relationships between teacher and student as well as between students are important elements in this positive experience of school. The research can provide inspiration for a pedagogy in the Greenlandic elementary school that creates motivation and interest for school. It would be relevant to study if this way of practice EOtC will have any long-term effect on the students.
This article is a translation of the article written in Danish “Kulturtradition, jagt og naturbrug i en grønlandsk specialklasse – udeskole der motiverer” (Føns, 2022). The article has been peer reviewed and published in the Danish research journal “Pædagogisk Psykologisk Tidsskrift”. The translation and publication are approved by the editor of Pædagogisk Psykologisk Tidsskrift.
Læs mere
Editor:
Kyle Clarke
Årstal:
2023
Emner:
Education outside the classroom; Outdoor learning; Culturally responsive; Motivation; Inuit culture; Children with special needs; Hunting; Nature-based learning
Titel på tidsskrift:
Pathways
Volumen af tidsskriftet:
35
Tidsskriftsnummer:
4
Udgiver:
The Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario Board of Directors
Publikationssted:
Ontario
Publikationsland:
Canada