Nature as a support for well-being and studies (5 cr)

Learning outcomes

Students are able to
- identify the rejuvenating effects of nature and its capacity to enhance well-being
- make use of practical, nature based methods to help them strengthen their well-being and capacity to study

Materials

Hartig, T., Mitchell, R., de Vries, S. and Frumkin, H. 2014. Nature and health. Annual Review of Public Health, 35, 207-228.

Pascha, M. 2020. PERMA Model: Your Scientific Theory of Happiness. Accessed 3 March 2020. https://positivepsychology.com/perma-model/

VIA institute of character. 2020. Bring your character strengths to life & live more fully. Accessed 3 March 2020. https://www.viacharacter.org/

Williams, F. 2017. The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative. New York, N.Y.: W.W. Norton & Company.

Teaching methods

The study unit’s knowledge base consists of environmental psychology, positive psychology and outdoor experiential learning.

The contact learning will mostly take place in different natural environments and therefore students should have sufficient equipment and clothing for outdoor settings. During the study unit we’ll have one overnight excursion together.

The independent learning includes individual, paired and/or small group assignments (preliminary assignment, learning diary, self-directed activities in nature). What you’ve learned during your independent studies you’ll demonstrate in in the end of the study unit (nature setting, night excursion). Instructions for the assignments will be available at Canvas workspace.

Employer connections

As a part of independent learning students may organize nature activities promoting well-being in cooperation with different kinds of workplaces.

Exam schedules

6.9.2021 Preliminary assignment (1st retake 8.9.2021, 2nd retake 9.9.2021)

10.9.2021 Orientation to study unit, compulsory attendance: first contact lessons

24.9.2021 Day excursion, compulsory attendance: building up group cohesion

8.10.2021 Plan for the activities demonstrating learning outcomes (1st retake 12.10.2021, 2nd retake 15.10.2021)

30.10.2021 Peer feedback from activity plan (1st retake 5.11.2020, 2nd retake 9.11.2020)

28- 29.10.2021 Demonstrating learning outcomes during overnight nature excursion (target group the students of the study unit), compulsory attendance: evaluation of the learning outcomes.

8.11.2021 Learning diary ready (1st retake 22.11.2021 2nd retake 6.12.2021)

Laurea reserves the right to change the dates of lessons and assignments.

Completion alternatives

According to the degree regulations all students are entitled to demonstrate their competence. The recognition and accreditation of prior competence is initiated by the students themselves. The competence is recognised and accredited by the teacher responsible for the study unit. The assessment is carried out according to the same criteria and grading scale as that adopted for the corresponding study unit. For further information visit Link.

Students who have prior competence of the outcomes of the study unit can demonstrate their theoretical and practical competences by planning and carrying out a learning session for the participants of the study unit during one of the excursions. Ask more detailed information about the demonstration from the teacher responsible for the study unit.

Student workload

Contact learning 40 h

Independent learning total 95 h:

Preliminary assignment 5 h
Preparations for the excursions 10 h
Plan for the activities demonstrating learning outcomes 10 h
Peer feedback from activity plan 5 h
Learning diary 38 h
Self-directed nature activities 27 h

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

n this study unit the assessing of the competences will be done by using the criteria set for requirement level I.

PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE BASIS, INFORMATION SEARCHING AND REPORTING

To achieve approved grade (or pass) student must be able to
- use essential professional concepts when explaining various work practices and situations
- search for information in different sources
- report

TEAMWORK SKILLS, LEADERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY

To achieve approved grade (or pass) student must be able to
- work as a member of a team
- plan the progress of his/her work and use of time under guidance
- work safely and in accordance with the professional code of conduct
- follow the provided instructions and rules

If the home university of the exhange student demands numeral evaluation, it can be arranged.

Content scheduling

At the beginning the studies will concentrate on recognizing personal character strengths, team building and goal setting in natural environments.

Later on students will familiarize themselves with natural environments impacts on well-being, health and stress reduction (theoretical and practical perspectives) and learn how to use different kinds of exercises for enhancing natural environments positive effects on studies and well-being.

In the end of the study unit students will share their learning outcomes to whole study group by organizing short well-being promoting sessions in natural environment.

Learning diary will be kept during the whole study unit and it shall be submitted for evaluation in the end.

Evaluation scale

Approved/Failed

Further information

According to the degree regulations (section 18) “students must be present in the first contact session or notify their teacher in charge if they cannot attend. If they fail to notify the teacher of their absence in the first contact session, their enrollment will be rejected. Another student in the queue may be enrolled in the study unit in the place of the absent student.”

For the overnight excursion you need to have a sleeping bag and mat. Lightweight tents will also be needed, but they and sleeping gear (if you don’t have your own) can be borrowed from friends or rented from different suppliers. Laurea can’t unfortunately take care of the renting costs, so you’ll have to take charge on getting the right equipment and paying the rent, if needed.