Thesis
The lived experiences of staff in one school involved in adapting a Forest School model to fit with the local culture and environment in the city of Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2024
- Thesis identifier
- T17114
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 202073503
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- Forest School (FS) is a ‘child-centred learning process, providing learner inspired, hands-on experiences in the natural environment’ (Plymouth Marjon University, 2024, para. 1). Originating in Scandinavia, the approach is currently being used in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is not the typical physical environment for FS. The purpose of this study was to investigate the lived experiences of staff in one school involved in adapting a FS model to fit with the local culture and environment in the city of Al Ain, in the UAE. This qualitative study used a case study method and followed a hermeneutic approach. Data was collected through two semi-structured interviews with staff from a case study school. Documents which related to FS or the culture and schooling system of the UAE were also analysed. Thematic analysis of the data revealed that the FS pedagogy offers a flexible approach, allowing FS leaders to adapt the teaching and encourages contextualisation to the local natural environment. This was reflected to a small extent in the changes which were made to the FS project in the case study school. The most significant adaptation was the change of name from FS to Desert Discovery. Several local resources were incorporated into the physical area such as sand, spices and local style fencing; however, this was juxtaposed with resources which did not reflect the local context. Findings indicate that training in intercultural awareness would enable staff members to contextualise the project further. Input from a member of the local community would also aid this process. Further research could interview a wider range of staff on the concept of FS in the UAE and document analysis of FS lessons plans in this context could reveal further cultural adaptations.
- Advisor / supervisor
- Shaw, Nicky
- Robinson, Carol (Carol L.)
- Samier, Eugénie Angèle, 1954-
- Resource Type
- DOI
Relations
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