FINAL (Draft# 10)

NOTE:  This is the final draft of a proposal which was developed for an Outdoor Education Minor offered through the Department of Sports Science, Physical Education and Dance at Idaho State University.  The process to get a minor approved is a long one.  Along the way, the text of the proposal was revised a number of times in response to differing needs by reviewing departments.  It was submitted to and eventually approved by the Physical Education Department, the College of Education, the ASISU Student Senate, Curriculum Council, and the University Administration  Finally in the fall of 2000, it received final approval from the State Board of Education.   Complete information on the Minor including class descriptions, questions and answers, and other helpful information is available at: Information on the Outdoor Education Minor.

--Prepared by Ron Watters (wattron@isu.edu)

Background

This paper summarizes the components of a proposed minor in Outdoor Education to be offered through the Physical Education Department at Idaho State University.

Course requirements for outdoor education majors and minors at eleven universities and colleges were reviewed in preparation of this proposal.  Institutions reviewed include:

University of New Hampshire
Canadian University College (Alberta)
North Carolina State University
Concordia (Minnesota)
Northland (Minnesota)
University of Wisconsin (River Falls)
Humber College (Toronto)
University of Alaska (Anchorage)
Ferrum College (Virginia)
Montreat College (North Carolina)
Western State College (Colorado)
 

Need

There is little doubt among researchers that outdoor recreational activities will continue to grow in popularity in the United States.  As growth continues, the demographic make-up of participants will be become more diverse.  Presently, male participants still dominate in numbers, but women are closing the gap and are experiencing higher overall growth rates than men (43% for women as compared to 38% for men).  Also experiencing high growth rates are older Americans and people of color, i.e. the growth rate in outdoor activities for blacks is 60% as compared to 38% for whites.  (National Survey on Recreation and the Environment 1994-95, USDA Forest Service).

This all adds up to many more people participating in such outdoor activities as hiking, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking and skiing--activities which have always been an important part of the activity offerings of the Idaho State University Physical Education and Dance Program and the ISU Student Union Outdoor Program.  Since Idaho State University is centrally located to some of the west's finest outdoor resources, we can expect national trends to be strongly represented among the student body.

Indeed, major growth has occurred in Idaho State's outdoor skill classes.  Overall enrollment in such classes has increased threefold from around 200 in the mid 1980's to over 600 during the 1997-98 school year.

Idaho State University is in unique position to offer a course of study in outdoor education.  The Physical Education and Dance program presently offers over 30 sections of outdoor activity classes. Reed Gym is the site of the largest climbing wall at any university.  And the university  is home to a highly respected Outdoor Program which offers frequent trips and activities, evening programs, a notable winter hut system and maintains the Intermountain Outdoor Resource Center, an extensive collection of outdoor books, instructional videos, periodicals and maps.

Since most of the needed classes for an outdoor education minor are already taught, there is very little expense to implement the program. Moreover, an outdoor education degree is popular among students--and, it will pay dividends.  Students who embark upon a minor of outdoor education will have, upon graduation, an appetizing choice of job opportunities.  Researchers Simon Priest and Mike Gass  in their article "The Future of Adventure Programming," (Outdoor Network, 1998), predict that adventure programs, guide services and eco-travel companies will continue to grow in number and diversity.  Outdoor education minors who do additional work in such related fields as elementary or secondary education, biology, ecology and geology will have a distinct advantage when seeking employment in this attractive and promising job market.
 

General Educational Objective of the Proposed Minor

The general objective of a minor in outdoor education is to provide students with the concepts and practical applications of the principle components of the outdoor education field.  These components include leadership theory, legal liability, outdoor activity skills, minimal impact, outdoor ethics, water and land-base safety, natural history and environmental interpretation, instructional techniques and methods, knowledge of the field's literature and practical teaching experience.
 

Required Courses
A total 21 credits is required from the following 4 components:
 

Leadership and Teaching Component (Seven (7) credits required):

• PE 386 Outdoor Leadership.  2 credits.  (Existing class.  New course number)

• PE 440 Survey of Outdoor Education Literature.  2 credits.  (New course)

• PE 445 Methods of Teaching Outdoor Activities & Practicum. 3 credits.  (New course)

• PE 381 River Safety & Swiftwater Rescue (1 credit)

(Restructured class:  old PE 491.  New course number.)

• PE 383 Advanced Rock Climbing and Climbing Safety (2 credits)

(Restructured class:  old PEAC 176C.  New course number.)

• PE 282 Map, Compass, and Backcountry Navigation (1 credit)

(Restructured class:  old PEAC 183.  New course number.)

• PE 286 Avalanche & Winter Sports Safety (1 credit)

(Restructured class:  old PEAC 187.  New course number.)
 
• HE g491  Health Education Workshop (1-3 credits)*  or HE 205 First Aid and Safety (2 credits)

   *When workshop is a certified first aid course, i.e. Wilderness First Responder (3 credits).

Students who at the time of graduation possess a current certificate in American Red Cross Standard or Community First Aid and CPR may apply one (1) credit toward the completion of this component.  Students who at the time of graduation possess a current certificate in Red Cross Emergency Response, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or Wilderness First Responder may apply three (3) credits.  Note that only one first aid certification or course may be counted.  At least two additional courses unrelated to first aid must be taken to fulfill the requirements of this component.
 

• BIOS 209 General Ecology (4 credits)
• BIOS 213 Fall Flora (2 credits)
• BIOS 214 Spring Flora (2 credits)
• BIOS g426 Herpetology (3 credits)
• BIOS g427 Ichthyology (3 credits)
• BIOS g438 Ornithology (3 credits)
• BIOS g441 Mammalogy (3 credits)
• GEOL 109 Physical Geology for Scientists (3 credits)
• GEOL 110 Physical Geology for Scientists Laboratory (1 credit)
• GEOL 201 Rocks, Rails, and Trails (1 credit)
• GEOL 210 Rocks, Minerals, Fossils and Maps (2 credits)
• GEOL g491 Seminar (1 credit)

• PEAC 101  Adaptive Snow Skiing
• PEAC 108  Instructor Training of Adaptive Snowskiing
• PEAC 175A  Beginning Kayaking
• PEAC 176A  Beginning Rock Climbing
• PEAC 177A  Beginning Cross-Country Skiing
• PEAC 178A  Beginning Telemark Cross-Country Skiing
• PEAC 178B  Intermediate Telemark Cross-Country Skiing
• PEAC 181  Bicycling
• PEAC 182C  Advanced Dutch Oven Cooking
• PEAC 185  Basic Mountaineering
• PEAC 186  Practical Outdoor Skills
• PEAC 188  Winter Survival Skills
• PEAC 189  Beginning Gym Climbing
• PEAC 192  Wilderness Survival Skills
• PE 232  Activity Laboratory--Outdoor Skills
• PE 280  Winter Camping and Backcountry Travel
• PE 282  Map, Compass & Backcountry Navigation
• PE 284  Intermediate Kayaking and Whitewater Safety
• PE 286  Avalanche and Winter Sports Safety
• PE 381  River Safety & Swiftwater Rescue
• PE 383  Advanced Rock Climbing & Climbing Safety (2 credits)
• PE g491 Physical Education Workshop (1-3 credits)*

*When workshop relates to outdoor education, i.e. Canoe Workshop (1 credit), Whitewater Rafting Workshop (1 credit), Backpacking Workshop (1 credit), Advanced Kayaking-Summer Field Experience (1 credit), Beginning Rock Climbing-Summer Field Experience (1 credit), Advanced Rock Climbing-Summer Field Experience (1 credit).

• PE 445  Methods of Teaching Outdoor Activities and Practicum  3  credits.  This culminating course for outdoor education minors  consists of two parts: a study of the objectives, programs and methods  of teaching outdoor recreation activities followed by a practicum  experience in which students assist in teaching and leading outdoor  activities.  PREREQ:  PE 386, PE 440, AND PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.  S

Rationale:  A crucial part of an outdoor education program is the study of outdoor  activity instructional methods in concert with controlled situations  which allow students hands-on teaching and leadership experience.   This course for minors provides for both theoretical study and field  practicum experiences.
• PE 440  Survey of Outdoor Education Literature  2 credits.  An  examination of recent research, literature and contemporary writing in  outdoor education.  Course work consists of a series of reading  assignments followed by oral reports and class discussions. F

 
Rationale:  Outdoor Education minors need to have a good understanding of current  research, literature and contemporary writing in the field.  This  course is designed to provide that and involves reading, critical  thinking, and verbal expression in a seminar format.
•  PE 282  Map, Compass and Backcountry Navigation  1 credit.  Practical  application of map and compass and wilderness navigation concepts  including map and field bearings, declination, resection, contour line  interpretation, GPS receiver use, map types, scales, and coordinate  systems.  F

Rationale:  The understanding of navigation skills and the use of map and compass  is one of the most fundamental of all outdoor skills, and as such,  this course has been included in the Outdoor Education Safety  Component of the proposed minor.  The course replaces PEAC 183 (Map  and Compass) which will be dropped.  While its emphasis will be on  land navigation through traditional orienteering methods, the course  will also cover the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers.
• PE 280  Winter Camping & Backcountry Travel  1 credit.  Techniques,  equipment and safety of overnight winter wilderness travel,  backcountry skiing and snowshoeing.  PREREQ:  PERMISSION OF  INSTRUCTOR. S

Rationale:  Presently, no classes are available to Idaho State University  students--and individuals who will be involved in the outdoor  education minor--which deal directly with winter backcountry travel  and camping. It is generally accepted by professionals in the field of  outdoor education that such classes are a part of a well-rounded  curriculum.  This class helps correct that deficiency.
• PE 284 Intermediate Kayaking and Whitewater Safety  1 credit.   Combines practical field experience in moving water with a study of  river safety and accident prevention.  Topics include hazard  evaluation, self and team rescue, case history review, and whitewater  safety procedures.  PREREQ: PEAC 175A OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. F,S

Rationale:  Whitewater river running--including kayaking--is a multi-million  dollar business in Idaho.  It is likely that some students who are  involved in the outdoor education minor at Idaho State University will  find employment opportunities in this segment of the state's outdoor  recreation industry.  This course is designed to move students from  primary to intermediate kayaking skills by amalgamating classroom,  pool and field sessions.  In addition to the development of practical  skills, the course provides a solid background in water safety.
• PE 286  Avalanche and Winter Sports Safety  1 credit.  A study of  snow, winter hazards, avalanche safety and rescue.  Topics include  basic snow physics, crystal identification, metamorphic processes,  factors influencing avalanches, use of transceivers, snow pack  evaluation, and avalanche rescue techniques. S

Rationale:  In any outdoor course of study, safety is always an overriding  concern.  This class is designed to cover winter sports safety and is  a part of the Outdoor Education Safety Component of the proposal.  It  replaces PEAC 187 (Avalanche Safety) which will be dropped.  In  addition to providing benefits for outdoor education minors, the new  course should appeal to county and local rescue personnel, and those  involved in the winter recreation industry.
• PE 383  Advanced Rock Climbing and Climbing Safety  2 credits.  A  comprehensive examination of climbing safety--anchor placement,  self-rescue, belaying, route protection, case history review,  equipment limitations--along with field experience including lead and  aid climbing, advanced knots, movement techniques, and minimal impact  procedures.  PREREQ: PEAC 176A OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.  S

 
Rationale:  Climbing walls have proliferated at colleges, public schools, and  recreation facilities across the country, creating employment  opportunities for individuals with outdoor education training.  Anyone  considering working as a climbing instructor or using climbing in  outdoor education applications, however, needs to do advanced work in  climbing safety.  This course, included in the Outdoor Safety  Component of the proposed minor, provides students with the knowledge,  skills, and procedures to minimize the hazards involved in the  sport.
• PE 381  River Safety & Swiftwater Rescue 1 credit.  A comprehensive  safety and rescue course for river users and rescue service personnel.   Topics include safety equipment, river hazards, river crossings, tag  line procedures, zip line and Z-pulley use, moving water extrications,  and first aid considerations.  Su

Rationale:  This course has been successfully offered as PE 491.  The change to a  300-level number codifies the outdoor education numbering system.  In  the past, the course has been popular among rescue service personnel,  instructors, and individuals working in the whitewater guide industry.   Under this proposal, it will also serve as one of the several classes  outdoor education minors can take to fulfill the requirements of the  Safety Component.
• PEAC 189  Beginning Gym Climbing  1 credit.  Taught entirely indoors  on the Idaho State University Climbing Wall, this course covers  climbing knots, belaying procedures, basic equipment, movement  techniques, and safety.  S

Rationale:  Over the last year, indoor and outdoor climbing classes have been  taught under the same number (PEAC 176A).  However, the content and  material covered in an indoor course is different than an outdoor  course. This action creates a new number and title for indoor  climbing.

• PEAC 118   Outdoor Survival Skills.  Change course number from 118 to PEAC 192.  ( Rationale:  Codifies outdoor education class numbering system)

•  PE 307  Outdoor Leadership.  Change course number from 307 to 386. (Rationale:  Codifies outdoor education class numbering system.)

Courses to be Dropped

• PEAC 183      Map and Compass Workshop (Rationale:  Superseded by a new course.)
• PEAC 176C   Advanced Rock Climbing  (Rationale:  Superseded by a new course.)
• PEAC 187      Avalanche Safety (Rationale:  Superseded by a new course.)
• PEAC 175B    Intermediate Kayaking  (Rationale:  Superseded by a new course.)
• PEAC 184       Ice Climbing Workshop (Rationale:  Has not been held for three years.)
• PEAC 175C    Advanced Kayaking  (Rationale:  Course has never been taught.  Under this proposal, it is no longer  relevant and should be dropped.)