FRI213 Adventurous Learning and Skill Development (Spring 2027)

ECTS Credits:
15
Responsible department:
Department of Teacher Education and Outdoor Studies
Course Leader:
Jørgen Weidemann Eriksen
Lecture Semester:
Spring
Teaching language:
English
Duration:
½ year

Table of contents

Introduction

This course brings together the areas of personal skill development and the four principles of Adventurous Learning: uncertainty, authenticity, agency, and mastery. First, students will gain the knowledge needed to design and implement a personally relevant skill development program. Second, through drawing on the above four features and a broad range of educational and movement learning theories, students will practice applying theory to their skill development journey. As the course progresses, greater emphasis will be placed on facilitating other people's outdoor experiences through nature-guiding or health work.

Prerequisite

There are no prerequisites to starting the course. However, to complete the course, the students must be in normally good physical shape and be able to participate actively in the learning activities. The students must be able to carry a rucksack and travel on foot and on skis in rough terrain and under varying conditions. We also refer to the program schedule.

Admission to the course

Programstudents BA FRI and international exchange students.Individual course students upon application. Individual course applicants must have completed 60 ECTS credits in outdoor studies to qualify for admission.

The course will be conducted with a minimum of 10 students.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students will be able to

  • design and implement their own theoretically informed personal skill development plan (PDP)
  • critically reflect on their implementation of the skill development plan (PDP)
  • understand how the concepts of uncertainty, authenticity, agency and mastery can be used to plan, facilitate and evaluate nature-guiding and health promoting experiences
  • gain experience in facilitating outdoor activities for groups using a range of conceptual models

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, workshops, seminars, day trips, multi-day trips, colloquia, and independent study.

The students will also be involved in the management and procedures related to the operation of the friluftsliv equipment storage at NIH (loan, return, operation, maintenance, and repairs).

The course is tought in English. English and Norwegian can be used as language for the submissions

Work requirements

To take the exam in the subject, the following work requirements must be approved

  • Submission of audio review of a podcast germane to the course material.
  • Facilitation of an outdoor group activity
  • Active and constructive participation
  • Attendance requirements: 80 % participation in all learning activities (excluding multi-day trips, and preparatory work that is necessary for participation)
  • Participate in the operation of the equipment storage in accordance with the established procedures for student involvement.

If a student is at risk of not fulfilling these criteria, they will be notified in writing by the course organizer. If the student’s performance does not improve markedly, they may fail the trip element of the course to be considered to have completed the course. In special cases, where absence is due to extenuating circumstances, the course coordinator, in discussion with the student, will seek alternative ways to fulfil the mandatory assignments.

Assessment/exam

  • Portfolio comprising 3 different assignments and tasks. Graded A-F.

    1. Presentation of a personal development plan (PDP).
    2. Presentation of the PDP journey.
    3. Critical reflection on PDP process.
  • Facilitate an outdoor learning session for a group. Passed/ not passed.
  • Attendance requirements: 100 % participation on multi-day trips, and preparations necessary for participation. Pass/ not passed.

Core literature

Core reading for spring 2027.
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 3:18:32 AM