Action learning cycle

=Action Learning=
 * Is a tool used to help plan and undertake student-led environmental projects
 * It empowers students to investigate, explore ideas, make decisions, take action and reflect on the changes they have created

Effective Environmental Education

 * Observes and honours what is local
 * Incorporates a variety of learning and teaching methods
 * Can use digital, and must use non-digital tools
 * Integrates throughout the curriculum

Learning log/s

 * Plain piece of paper, book or digital device
 * Space for images, events, quotes, sounds, ideas, interviews etc
 * Prompts such as...
 * I was surprised that
 * I really enjoyed it how
 * I felt that the
 * I liked learning

Brainstorming

 * Key words, spiders, mind maps, free sketch etc
 * Reflection - why?
 * Pooling knowledge, sharing our thoughts etc

Experiential learning

 * Listen count/record nature versus humanity made sounds
 * Rope tied in loop, group blindfolded, holding rope/wool everyone creates a shape - square etc
 * Cloud spotting - types if known, direction, shapes etc
 * Reflection - why?
 * Here and now, observational, leadership, team, environmental, secure, informed decisions, imagination

Mapping

 * Mental maps of area/surroundings - blank paper/screen
 * Sound/colour maps
 * 1) Student in centre, records direction of sounds/colours
 * 2) Walk through area record on map sounds/colours
 * 3) Overlay maps
 * Scale maps - big maps of small places
 * Sculptured maps

Pool of Knowledge

 * Is a visual display tool which shows the development of ideas and understandings
 * Records responses and understandings
 * Assists students to retain control of their own learning
 * Facilitates collective learning
 * Is a participatory way of building a picture
 * Allows critical evaluation of values and actions

Local stories

 * Traditional, fiction, legends etc
 * A way to explore cultural knowledge
 * Provide an opportunity to understand many aspects of historical life

Reflective Techniques

 * Whole group/class polite shout out of one worders describing the experience/immersion
 * Students choose a word from the list that most represents
 * 1) Something important about the experience
 * 2) Their best experience
 * 3) What they wished it had been like
 * 4) Their part in the activity
 * 5) What the group was like
 * 6) Their hopes for the next activity, etc, etc
 * Wikimedia Creative Commons - picture of the day


 * Group Collage
 * A picture containing a picture/message
 * 1) Any materials or images collected
 * 2) Individuals explain reason for selection