What's new

This theoretical paper addresses the perceived tension in outdoor education between a focus on activities and a focus on the environment. Drawing on Tim Ingold's writing, it discusses four threads of enskilment: taskscape, guided attention, storytelling and wayfinding. It pairs these with van Manen's idea of the pedagogic moment to describe what educators need to do to teach for enskilment. Examples come from the authors' coastal outdoor education programmes, and the paper ends by suggesting practices that support an enskilment approach.

Why it matters in Aotearoa

Outdoor education in Aotearoa often aims to teach activity skills and build connection to place. This paper gives educators language and practices to do both together.

Putting it into practice

During skills sessions, guide students' attention to the place, such as tides, weather and landforms, and share stories about it so skill learning and place learning go together.

How strong is the evidence

This is a theoretical paper illustrated with the authors' own teaching examples. It provides concepts and offers no empirical evidence of outcomes.

What to read

The sections on the four threads of enskilment and the suggested practices at the end.

Who it's for