Tag Archives: Outdoor Education

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Bound for Discovery, Changed for Life!

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G’day Internet!

“Onward, Singapore!”

That is the title of the Singaporean national anthem. It is also the nations motto (By the way, when did countries start having mottos? Do we Australians have one?! I’m calling Tony and throwing up some ideas..)

In comparing and contrasting Singapore and Australia’s approaches to Outdoor Environmental Education (OEE), even looking at the lyrics of our national anthems we can find similarities.

“Come, fellow Singaporeans Let us progress towards happiness together”

“With courage let us all combine, to Advance Australia Fair” (If these lyrics don’t look familiar, it’s because it’s from the second verse of our anthem)

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Evaluation

The Best of Both Worlds.

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As mentioned in previous posts, I actually knew very little about Singapore in general prior to the announcement of the Great Singapore Adventure. Everyone seemed shocked as to how Singapore could possibly implement an outdoor education program in such a small environment, but I didn’t truly understand up until we actually got there where I could see for myself why outdoor education seemed an unlikely fit. Nevertheless, outdoor education exists quite strongly in Singapore and it definitely shares some observable similarities to the outdoor education we have in Australia. There are however, also some notable differences between the two that offer different outcomes potentially more relevant to the national interests of the countries.

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Evaluation

Experience: the architecture of understanding

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During my first few days in Singapore, I struggled to see nature as I knew it. Let me take you on a short photo journey of my personal development and understanding of nature and Outdoor and Environmental Education (OEE) in Singapore and compare and contrast this with Australia.

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A view of the high ropes course at our accommodation

This is what I woke up to on day 1; beautiful! I was up and ready to explore. We went to Gardens By the Bay and visited the Cloud Forest, Flower Dome and Super Trees. I was blown away by the architecture, beauty and information provided not only at these locations, but at many others throughout the trip. However it was only when we got to week two that I actually thought to myself: ”Wait a minute…what do these places do for OEE in Singapore?”  

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Evaluation

Outdoor Education as a Learning Tool

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“Outdoor Education is a means of achieving the Desired Outcomes of Education through guided, direct experiences in the environment and outdoors, using its resources as learning tools and opportunities.” (Author Unknown).

This quote was on the front cover of an Outdoor Education diary presented to us at the conclusion of our journey in Singapore by Susanna Ho and has provided the inspiration and direction for this blog post.

A group of like minded Australians and Singaporeans who believe in the power of directing experiences whilst using the environment as a learning tool.
A group of like minded Australians and Singaporeans who believe in the power of directing experiences whilst using the environment as a learning tool.

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Evaluation

Which is Singapore and which is Australia?

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Because I can’t tell the difference between these two beauties….

The Singapore culture lives in you….. A clip of photos from my outdoor experiences in both Singapore and Australia, highlighting the many similar beauties and potential for connections to be made with places at our doorstep.

Sitting in my study back here in Melbourne Australia, I realise how much I miss Singapore; the people, the culture, the natural wonders and of course those spectacular man made appearances. However I believe the Singaporean culture lives on in me and my work as an Outdoor Educator, whilst it also lives within the Australian culture. Martin & Ho (2009) state that Outdoor Education contributions need to be grounded over time through place and culture. The above photos highlight similarities whilst also contrasting many natural areas within both Singapore and Australia that I have visited, whilst also including historical and man made locations within the two countries. When the photos are put together, I have come to realise that although Australia is a much larger country we share similar values and amazing locations with the potential to increase the knowledge and value our citizen’s place on these places.

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