Affordances guiding Forest School practice: the application of the ecological dynamics approach

Vinathe Sharma-Brymer; Eric Brymer; Tonia Gray; Keith Davids

doi:10.1007/s42322-017-0004-3

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Affordances guiding Forest School practice: the application of the ecological dynamics approach

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Affordances guiding Forest School practice: the application of the ecological dynamics approach

Vinathe Sharma-Brymer, Eric Brymer, Tonia Gray and Keith Davids

Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, Vol.21, pp.103-115

2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42322-017-0004-3

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Abstract

Affordances

Curriculum Studies

Ecological dynamics

Education

Environmental and Sustainability Education

Forest School

Person-environment relationships

Sociology of Education

Forest School focuses on child development underlining nature-connection and play pedagogy. Practitioners facilitate child-led learning through a deep observation approach. However, challenges and assumptions exist in such approaches. Additionally, a critical examination of the practice reveals that it may be lacking a solid theoretical underpinning that can respond to diverse contexts and participants while escaping a one-size-fits-all approach encouraged by commercialisation. Ecological Dynamics offers a theoretical framework that has the potential to guide Forest School practice and clarify its effectiveness. Specifically, notions of affordances combined with analysis at the level of person-environment relationships could guide future design and implementation of activities. Benefits could include realising and attuning to affordances which have sociocultural and individual connotations, thereby respecting local cultures and their community resources. The role of the Forest School practitioner becomes one of facilitating diverse populations in their perception of affordances in nature for individualised benefits, including well-being.

Details

Title: Affordances guiding Forest School practice: the application of the ecological dynamics approach
Authors: Vinathe Sharma-Brymer (Corresponding Author) - Leeds Beckett University
Eric Brymer (Author) - Leeds Beckett University
Tonia Gray (Author) - Western Sydney University
Keith Davids (Author) - Sheffield Hallam University
Publication details: Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, Vol.21, pp.103-115
Publisher: Springer
DOI: 10.1007/s42322-017-0004-3
ISSN: 2522-879X
Organisation Unit: School of Law and Society; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99613708102621
Output Type: Journal article

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