Outdoor Learning Certification Program
Become a certified outdoor learning educator with this 30-hour course
Outdoor Learning Certification Program
Learn how to integrate the outdoors into your teaching practice using effective strategies and resources in this interactive online course for K-12 educators.
Enroll Now
The course includes:
- 30 hrs of Self-paced Learning through 10 Online Learning Modules
- Monthly Live Workshops
- Hands-on activities for you and your class as you learn
- Outdoor Learning Certificate (upon completion)
- $10 CAD Coupon for the Outdoor Learning Store
- Discounts at the Take Me Outside Store
“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.”
– Jackie Birch, Ontario Educator
About this Course
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:
- 10 online learning Modules
- 3 Live Workshops
- 30 hrs of Self-paced Learning Community Building
- Hands on activities for you and your class as you learn
- Outdoor Learning Certification upon completion
Please note this certification course is not currently recognized by a governing body; it is part of our extensive offering of professional development.
What You’ll Learn
- How to implement outdoor learning into your pedagogy
- How to facilitate meaningful conversations with your students about Indigenous ways of knowing, environmental and climate change issues, and health and well being
- How to help learners of all levels develop a stronger relationship with the outdoors, which has numerous evidence-based benefits
- Key strategies for using a sense of place as pedagogy
- Ready-to-use activities and resources to implement immediately
Syllabus
This course contains 10 modules as listed below. It will take 30 hours to complete this online certification course.
- MODULE 1 – Introduction To The Outdoor Learning Certification
- MODULE 2 – Outdoor Learning ‘Outside Of The Classroom’
- MODULE 3 – Setting Up For Success
- MODULE 4 – Lesson Planning For Outdoor Learning
- MODULE 5 – Concept 1: Relationship
- MODULE 6 – Concept 2 – Respect
- MODULE 7 – Concept 3: Reciprocity
- MODULE 8 – Concept 4: Responsibility
- MODULE 9 – Assessment In The Outdoors
- MODULE 10 – Embedding The Learning
Instructors and Course Developers
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.
Jade Berrill
Director of Learning, Outdoor Learning Store. Jade is a Physical Geographer (BSc), Award-Winning Environmental Educator, Outdoor Instructor and Interpretative Guide.
Ian Shanahan
Ian holds a BEd from the University of Toronto and is an Ontario Certified Teacher. Ian spent 5-years with the Green Teacher magazine, and enjoyed 13 seasons with Ontario Parks.
Alyson McMullen
Alyson (she/her) is of Mushkego (Swampy Cree), Irish and French ancestry. Her work is centered around decolonizing education through land centered inquiry based practice.
Alysse Kennedy
Alysse is a teacher and researcher who graduated from OISE with her PhD in environmental & sustainability education and climate justice.
Jenna Jasek
Jenna is on expedition which involves culture, traditions, languages and Knowledge of nature. She believes Indigenous perspectives connect effortlessly with outdoor learning.
Faye O’Neill
Faye O’Neil was born on her homelands of ?ama?kis Ktunaxa at the beginning of the headwaters of the micqaqas akinmituk (Chickadee River/Columbia River).
Colin Harris
Executive Director, Take Me Outside. Colin Harris holds a Master’s of Environmental Education and Communication, and is pursuing a PhD in Educational Research.
FAQs
How long will this course take?
Is this certification accredited / recognized by a governing body? Can it be used toward professional learning hours?
Who is leading the live workshops ?
All workshops start at 4 pm PT/7 pm ET. Upcoming workshops dates can be found within the course portal and happen once a month. Folks taking the course are welcome to attend all workshops, but attendance at one workshop throughout the course is required for completion.
Can I take this if I am a parent/homeschooling parent or formal/informal educator?
Can I register a group?
Is this course in cohorts or can I start any time?
How do I access the course after signing up?
What is the refund policy?
Is there someone I can reach out to if I need help/tech support?
Testimonials
“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.”
Jackie Birch, Ontario
“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!”
Christine Halloway
“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!”
Tara Frew
“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.”
School System Administrator
“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.”
Ruqqaiya Naqvi
“Through the course, I’ve expanded my perspective on assessment in outdoor settings. I now see assessment as a dynamic, ongoing process that can be woven into experiences rather than simply an endpoint. This realization will allow me to create more inclusive, engaging, and meaningful assessments that honour different learning styles.”
Aaron Hans Thude
“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.”
Gina Williams
“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.”
Lisa Goland
Enroll
OUTDOOR LEARNING CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
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!
REGISTRATION FOR ENROLLMENT
Partner Organizations
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