How can outdoor learning and diverse learning environments support inclusion, accessibility and wellbeing?

This Erasmus+ course offers insight to Universal Design for learning (UDL) and inspires teachers to extend their classroom to new environments. The course also explores various pedagogical methods for inclusive learning.

When: 7–11 June 2027
Location: Helsinki, Finland

Who is this course for?

This course is targeted at teachers, special needs teachers and pedagogic developers across the basic education sector. 

Learning outcomes

During this course you will improve your understanding on inclusion and how diverse learning environments can be harnessed to support equity and inclusion. You will introduce yourself to new teaching methods and to following the key principles of UDL. Finally you will be inspired by new approaches to experiental and embodied learning in new settings.

Course topics

• UDL
• Inclusion
• Differentiation
• Accessibility
• Nature as a source of balance and wellbeing
• Nature as co-teacher
• Place based and exploratory learning
• Real world learning

Preliminary programme

Day 1. Introduction to UDL, Inclusion, Differentiation
Day 2. Real world learning and exploratory learning. Field trip to Central Library Oodi;  
Day 3. Nature as a learning environment. Outdoor learning methods and differentiation in nature; 
Day 4. UDL outdoors and in the extended classroom (trip to Heureka Science center, 10€ fee/ participant);
Day 5. Nature as source of balance and wellbeing. Reflection. 

Course methodology

The course combines lectures, practical workshops, study visits, a digital learning diary and a final exercise. Participants will receive digital course materials to support their learning throughout the course.

Registration

Registration is open continuously and closes approximately one week before the beginning of each course.

After registration, you will receive more information about the course and guidance on planning your trip to Finland. You will also receive an invoice according to the information provided in the registration form.

The course will be confirmed one month before the start date. Please do not purchase travel tickets before you have received confirmation.

Course trainers

Ulla Myllyniemi

Ulla Myllyniemi is an outdoor education expert and environmental education specialist at SYKLI Environmental College. She is a class teacher, special needs teacher, trainer and lecturer with extensive experience in outdoor and environmental education, inclusive pedagogy and teacher training.

Ulla has contributed to numerous national and international projects and conferences. She is also a co-author of several Finnish publications on outdoor learning and a long-term advocate for outdoor education in Finland.

Katariina Mustonen

Katariina Mustonen is a special needs teacher and qualified principal. She has nearly 20 years of experience in teaching teenagers, teachers and school staff.

She specialises in pedagogy, inclusion and educational equity. Katariina also has extensive experience in differentiation and tailoring in vocational education and training. She has produced teaching materials and courses for several educational projects in Finland and Europe.

Training institution

SYKLI Environmental College is a national specialist vocational college in Finland. We train professionals in different sectors to take concrete steps towards sustainability.

Our aim is to build green competencies and increase the quality of sustainability education at all levels of the education system and throughout society. In Finland, SYKLI is known as a pioneer in environmental and sustainability education.

SYKLI is the only institution in Finland offering a one-year study programme in Environmental Education for teachers and other education professionals. SYKLI also offers programmes in Circular Economy, Water Management, Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development.

OID: E10001261
PIC: 866835360