Note: We are excited to now be offering a French version of this course as well. Click here to learn more.
This course has been one of the best pieces of professional development I have undertaken in my 15 years as an educator…It’s rich with wisdom and resources, and I genuinely wanted to take my time to absorb as much as I could while completing each module.
Outdoor learning is being increasingly adopted by educators to enhance student learning, and to support the physical, emotional and mental health of teachers and students.
This work and the content you will learn in the Outdoor Learning Certification Program is a key step to support these issues, along with other key social and environmental issues such as Indigenous ways of knowing, environmental and climate change and health and well being.
This certification will give you the confidence to take your learning outside whatever the topic or weather. From setup, permissions and planning to programming and assessment, this course will give you the tools to embed outdoor learning into your teaching practice.
You do not need a background in outdoor education, environmental education or land-based education to successfully integrate the course materials into your teaching. Your willingness to experiment with new teaching practices and the notion of where learning happens is all that is required.
The course includes:
Please note this certification course is not currently recognized by a governing body; it is part of our extensive offering of professional development.
This course contains 10 modules as listed below. It will take 30 hours to complete this online certification course.
This course has been created for you by two non-profit organizations with over 30 years of expertise in Outdoor Learning in the formal, informal, recreational, and other educational sectors. It reflects the most up-to-date research, pedagogy, and practice from researchers and practitioners in Outdoor Learning and features the support and resources of more than 100 Outdoor Learning organizations across North America and beyond.
This course has been one of the best pieces of professional development I have undertaken in my 15 years as an educator…It’s rich with wisdom and resources, and I genuinely wanted to take my time to absorb as much as I could while completing each module. Thank you for the amount of time, care and thoughtfulness you have put into crafting this work.
A HUGE thank you for this incredible and inspiring learning experience. I have been busy incorporating new adventures, opportunities, learning, and discoveries for my students outside since day one of this course. Thank you for offering so many wonderful resources, inspiration, and “lightbulb” moments!
This was a wonderful experience! I am so happy I spent time learning and can’t wait to get outside with my students. I think this process was the most beneficial professional development I have ever experienced! It was practical and inspiring! I highly recommend other educators do this course too!
The content, the structure of chapters, and the resources provided were all brilliant! It was clear there was a ton of effort put into building this and plenty of consideration for what and how it was being shared.
Gaining the understanding that I don’t need to be a nature expert, but rather a co-learner with my students, has freed me to focus on building strong foundations through consistent practices. This new understanding helps me create experiences that not only meet educational objectives but also develop deeper connections between my students and the natural world.
I’ve achieved a deeper understanding of the power of nature as a learning tool—recognizing its potential not just as a backdrop, but as an active participant in the educational process. I feel more equipped to create meaningful, immersive learning experiences that connect students to the environment in a holistic way, blending intellectual, emotional, and physical learning.
The course has increased my motivation and reduced my burnout significantly, making me a better teacher in the classroom. My student’s joy in being outdoors and writing and drawing in their nature journals is ample proof.
Learn how to integrate the outdoors into your teaching practice using effective strategies and resources in this interactive online course for K-12 educators. Start the asynchronous course anytime!
