What makes something special?

This was the philosophical question we identified in our Philosophy for Children workshop at the Institute for Outdoor Learning National Conference, this weekend. The aim of P4C is to develop communities of enquiry in educational settings in order promote creative and independent thinking with children and young people.

Sadly, it seems to me, that thinking skills have become a niche interest beyond primary education.  In a number of the contexts in which I teach, too many students are too strongly outcome-focussed, hoping to arrive at an acceptable result by the quickest means. A "What do I do next?" teacher-dependent approach often prevails. Attempts to develop a process-focussed approach, considering the means by which we arrive at decisions, seem to go against the grain of the educational experience of many students and they find it difficult.

In another workshop Marcus Bailie of the Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority talked about human error accidents in adventurous activities. Marcus identified human error as the biggest single cause of accidents and talked about the different safety cultures of surgeons and pilots as examples. Models of human error, including "lemons" and "the turkey trap" were discussed. Limiting distraction/focussing attention, supervision (of students by the instructor and instructors by managers) and buddy checking (duality) were also discussed.  Buddy checking is strongly embedded in flight crew teams but not in operating theatres. Finally Marcus addressed the "to tie in or clip in" issue of rock-climbing with groups. He concluded, against a strong degree of popular wisdom, that it is generally safer to clip in as it:

• is easier to teach clipping a karabiner safely than tying a safe knot
• is easier for students to check one another - the "squeeze test"
• frees the attention of the instructor to supervise safety rather than repeatedly tying knots

The issue of "more links in the safety chain" is not significant, as equipment failure contributes much less to safety than human error through inattention.

And on Sunday I went kayaking on the River Washburn with friends from Bradford and Bingley Canoe Club and walked with Mrs Nutton through local autumn woods.  Quite a special weekend!

Green Talent

I've just returned from a workshop, at RSPB Old Moor, on the Green Talent Project in which the RSPB is a partner.

The aim is to prepare 14-19 year olds for sustainable work in a low carbon economy.  In my experience many young people see sustainability as an unfashionable minority interest but in truth it is likely to underpin our lives and especially those of young people as climate change and resource scarcity becomes a more present reality.

Green Talent opens the eyes of young people to the challenges and opportunities in an engaging way using mobile technology and fun activity.  It's not all doom and gloom and finding creative solutions for businesses in maximising the "triple bottom line" of people, places and profit will bring economic reward for those able to engage.

In other news, a great weekend was had potholing in Hurnel Moss Pot with friends from Bradford Pothole Club, competing in Bradford & Bingley Canoe Club's slalom event and learning to use the Little Dragon warm air breathing apparatus with Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association.

It's a dog's life

At last night's UWFRA meeting a representative of SARDA (the Search and Rescue Dog Association) came along to tell us about their work.

The dedication of the trainers in bringing their dogs to the required standard of competence was very impressive to hear.

If you spend time in the UK hills they are certainly an organisation worthy of your support.

Rolling, rolling, rolling

I've just returned from a very single-minded weekend at a "rolling clinic" at Plas-y-Brenin, the National Mountain Centre.  In three years of kayaking I think I've managed an Eskimo roll probably three times in practice and never "in anger".

Under Chris's excellent coaching I have now got a much more reliable roll, though by no means "bombproof". Yet!

By the end of the first day I was quite dispirited. Though I'd got in a handful of decent rolls I began to fail more frequently as tiredness and frustration set in.  After watching video of my attempts I returned to the pool on Sunday morning more confident and got in a series of successful rolls before, once again, tiredness (but not frustration this time) took hold. With rests (for the mind and body) between attempts I was able to be more consistently successful by the afternoon.

The Snowdon Horseshoe from the Plas y Brenin bar terrace

By the end of a weekend spent indoors and with body aching and sinuses stinging it was nice to sit outside and take in the view before the drive home.