Historical Thinking and Outdoor Education

After exploring the readings and reviewing other's responses this week I was reminded how much education has changed throughout history. Teaching philosophies and the curriculum changed drastically throughout the decades to allow students to learn the necessary skills required to have successful futures as well as make necessary and positive contributions to society. This especially stood out to me when Tomkins mentioned that Canada was "lagging behind the industrial and technical education between 1880 - 1920" (160). Once this issue was acknowledged, curriculum specialists in Canada incorporated more “manual training, domestic science, health education, agriculture, and kindergarten” programs were prioritized to help Canadian youth be better prepared for the real world after graduation. 

At one point in Canadian history, students actually learned and developed agricultural skills. I assume that with more technological advances and heavy machinery in the following decades resulted in a decrease in  agricultural studies since learners did not necessarily require the hands on skills. Thinking about my own K-12 education, there were no agricultural or land focused electives for me to choose and explore.

I wonder that with more studies coming out about the benefits of spending time in nature, as well as greater awareness about global warming and sustainable practices, are curriculum developers starting to realize the potential benefits of incorporating more environmental studies? I teach in a K-5 elementary public school in BC and I had heard of some outdoor programs offered at the high school level in my district. BC's curriculum also emphasizes the Indigenous People's Principles of Learning that highlights connections to nature. Though, I wonder if more hands on agricultural focused classes were offered to students what the positive effects would look like?  

I am curious if anyone has experienced agricultural focused courses themselves or have seen them offered in schools? If so, what impact did it have on the students and the surrounding community? 



Source: Tomkins, G. (1981). Foreign influences on curriculum and curriculum policy making in Canada: Some impressions in historical and contemporary perspective. Curriculum Inquiry, 11(2), 157–166   



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