Experiential Education
Philipp Leodolter
- Teacher of Physical Education and Geography & Economics at different schools in Styria, Austria since 2019
- Currently teaching at a secondary school in Graz.
- Lecturer at the Department of Human Movement Sciences, Sport and Health, University of Graz since 2018
- IFMGA Mountain Guide since 2018
Since my time at university and the mountain guide courses, my life focused on teaching different target groups, in different subjects, in the most different locations. From the classroom in the city to a glacier in an alpine environment. In my opinion, the key to success in teaching is to let the people experience the topic, movement or a social conflict to sustainably learn from it. Adventure/Experiential Education (Erlebnispädagogik) helped me to get closer to my goals in teaching. It is an educational approach that emphasizes learning through direct experiences, often outdoors or through engaging activities that promote personal growth, teamwork, problem-solving, and reflection.
Lesson Overview
Experiential Education
In this course we will talk, experience, and reflect on Adventure and Experiential Education. Together, as a group of maximum 30 participants, we will walk to the nearby Tartscher Bühel and use the beautiful natural surroundings as our classroom. The sessions will take place outdoors, where I will show you different ways to integrate elements of Adventure and Experiential Education into your teaching practice. This approach helps students develop important life skills such as teamwork, resilience, and self-awareness, while deepening their connection to nature and physical activity.