INSTITUTE FOR OUTDOOR LEARNING

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FE/HE and research interest group

Ways Forward?

Preamble

Over the last few years the focus of the HE/FE interest group has been concerned with developing the links between people involved in research in outdoor learning and developing awareness of how broader research/theory outside of the outdoor community might usefully inform research into our field. Arguably for any body of knowledge to develop it can’t be only self –referencing but must engage with broader debates. These debates might not only include evaluation of programmes, but also other aspects of research informed by a variety of theoretical frameworks; For example practitioner research, reflective researcher/practitioner, participatory research, active research, emancipatory research and so forth. Hopefully, the research forums that have been hosted by different institutions, largely Higher Education but also others, have gone some way towards this. Past Newsletters carry comprehensive reports on all previous research forums. The next research forum is to be held on Monday 17^th September at the Brathay Trust, hosted by Nic Tucker ([log in to unmask]). The following research form will be held at the Whose Journey? International conference at BCUC, April 8-10^th 2002 (see www.eoe-network.org) ([log in to unmask])

With the creation of the new Institute for Outdoor Learning there has been discussion amongst Trustees and management committee as to how best to move forward with these area(s).

A) The following issues were raised regarding the research forum groups:

1) Are all those who attend the research forums IOL members?

2) What are the criteria for membership?

3) What are the aims of the group?

4) There are requests for 2 & 3 above to be written down and for a clarification of the position of non-members of IOL who might want to attend.

5) How might academic freedom continue to be maintained?

6) Nominations required for a representative on the IOL management group.

B) There is much development of courses related to outdoor learning/education in HE/FE but arguably IOL appears not to be offering benefits and opportunities for lecturers in this field to come together and discuss their particular areas of concern and interest; For example ‘benchmarking’ of course etc.. There are now many FE/HE institutes that are preparing students for work in the ‘outdoor industry’. IOL is concerned in the future to consult with members on issues around professional accreditation.

Suggested Actions

It was therefore proposed that there be set up a HE/FE working group to complement the HE/FE research interest group. It was proposed that the two sections be more clearly delineated and that members should be involved in this development. There is also concern that they maintain their connections.

HE/FE research interest group

Members of this group and other interested people send comments or issues to be raised to Barbara Humberstone either by mail to IOL or email [log in to unmask] and or /use the OUTRES discussion list.
Nominations from interest group members for a representative to take this group forward should be made to Heather Heron, IOL administrator by June 8^th. These nominations should have the agreement of the nominee and a nominator and seconder who are members of IOL. In the event of more than one person, a vote by those who are on the research circulation list will be made. The next meeting of the IOL management committee is 7^th July. The representative would be asked to attend that meeting.

HE/FE working group

1. Those who are interested in joining this group should contact Barbara Humberstone either by mail to IOL or email [log in to unmask]

This message/discussion will also be posted on the OUTRES & OUTCURRICULUM email discussion lists to open up discussion to a wider audience who may also be interested (www.jicsmail.ac.uk).

Professor Barbara Humberstone PhD (18/05/01)

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