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OTTER Lab as an approach for education outside the classroom

Learning objectives

Learning objectives direct the whole learning process: they tell what students should be able to do or know after the course. Learning objectives help teachers select and organize lesson or course content and activities and choose the assessment methods. In addition, learning objectives guide students through the course, and help them assess their learning process.
What do I want the students to understand and
master when they complete this project?

When setting the learning objectives, the teacher needs to ask themselves: “What do I want the students to understand and master when they complete this project / course?” The teacher should consider a range of learning objectives to ensure the holistic development of students. 
 
OTTER Lab was designed to aim for several, broad learning goals: 
To support the acquiring of scientific knowledge in the fields of environmental sustainability and global environmental challenges (linked to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs).
To facilitate the development of students’ 21st-century skills.
To promote an inclusive attitude, embracing diversity and participation of all students. 
 
These broad goals can work asa basis for designing OTTER Lab. More specific learning objectives derived from the national curriculum can be linked to them. 
 

The first objective is linked to both SDGs, as well as subject specific objectives defined in different national / local curricula. The teacher can use, for example, the SDG’s below as basis for designing OTTER Lab and link relevant subject specific objectives to them. UNESCO’s publication Education for Sustainable Development Goals has been used as the source of the learning objectives

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 
Learning objectives for Clean Water and Sanitation, e.g.:

  • Understand water as a fundamental condition of life itself, the importance of water quality and quantity, and the causes, effects and consequences of water pollution and water scarcity.
  • Understand the global unequal distribution of access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities.
  • Communicate about water pollution, water access and water saving measures and to create visibility about success stories.
  • Learn about water usage in a student's own country, and compare the facts to another country.
  • Feel responsible for their own water use, and reduce their individual water footprint and to save water practicing their daily habits.

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 
Learning objectives for Clean Water and Sanitation, e.g.:

  • Understand water as a fundamental condition of life itself, the importance of water quality and quantity, and the causes, effects and consequences of water pollution and water scarcity.
  • Understand the global unequal distribution of access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities.
  • Communicate about water pollution, water access and water saving measures and to create visibility about success stories.
  • Learn about water usage in a student's own country, and compare the facts to another country.
  • Feel responsible for their own water use, and reduce their individual water footprint and to save water practicing their daily habits.

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 
Learning objectives for Clean Water and Sanitation, e.g.:

  • Understand water as a fundamental condition of life itself, the importance of water quality and quantity, and the causes, effects and consequences of water pollution and water scarcity.
  • Understand the global unequal distribution of access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities.
  • Communicate about water pollution, water access and water saving measures and to create visibility about success stories.
  • Learn about water usage in a student's own country, and compare the facts to another country.
  • Feel responsible for their own water use, and reduce their individual water footprint and to save water practicing their daily habits.

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 
Learning objectives for Clean Water and Sanitation, e.g.:

  • Understand water as a fundamental condition of life itself, the importance of water quality and quantity, and the causes, effects and consequences of water pollution and water scarcity.
  • Understand the global unequal distribution of access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities.
  • Communicate about water pollution, water access and water saving measures and to create visibility about success stories.
  • Learn about water usage in a student's own country, and compare the facts to another country.
  • Feel responsible for their own water use, and reduce their individual water footprint and to save water practicing their daily habits.

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 
Learning objectives for Clean Water and Sanitation, e.g.:

  • Understand water as a fundamental condition of life itself, the importance of water quality and quantity, and the causes, effects and consequences of water pollution and water scarcity.
  • Understand the global unequal distribution of access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities.
  • Communicate about water pollution, water access and water saving measures and to create visibility about success stories.
  • Learn about water usage in a student's own country, and compare the facts to another country.
  • Feel responsible for their own water use, and reduce their individual water footprint and to save water practicing their daily habits.

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 
Learning objectives for Clean Water and Sanitation, e.g.:

  • Understand water as a fundamental condition of life itself, the importance of water quality and quantity, and the causes, effects and consequences of water pollution and water scarcity.
  • Understand the global unequal distribution of access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities.
  • Communicate about water pollution, water access and water saving measures and to create visibility about success stories.
  • Learn about water usage in a student's own country, and compare the facts to another country.
  • Feel responsible for their own water use, and reduce their individual water footprint and to save water practicing their daily habits.

 

The second objective is linked to 21st century skills which have been identified as vital in the 21st century society and the world. In the OTTER Lab special attention was given on these 21st century skills:

The third objective is linked to promoting inclusion and diversity and providing equal opportunities for all. OTTER Lab identified three key areas necessary in the development of EOC experiences:

  • Interacting considerately: non-discriminatory and respectful
  • Creating awareness: diverse genders, ethnicity, nationality and socio-economic background
  • Acting with respect: showing interest in and respect for others.