Type of course

The course can't be taken as a single course.

To enrol course the student must have passed the first year of the Bachelor programme of Arctic Friluftsliv and naturguiding.

Obligatory prerequisites

Course content

Value-Based Guiding and Teaching Arctic Nature will be taught throughout the whole of the academic year. The course includes a theoretical approach and a practical focus through field trips, practical work and leadership assignments.

The course content is related to the content of the first year in the bachelor program in Alta. This year is in the context of guiding and tourism in high arctic region. The course aims to gradually build-up the candidate’s expertise and competence in guiding in the Arctic nature. The course content and learning outcome is harmonized with the Specification of competencies, knowledge, skills and abilities of the International Mountain Leader in accordance with the UIMLA standard, managed in Norway by the Norwegian Nature Guide Association.The course is divided into 3 main themes:

• The leader role in guiding
• Arctic tourism, nature and ecology
• Value - Based Guiding - experiences, learning and nature awareness

Objectives of the course

Knowledge

• Has broad knowledge of topics related to the nature guide role and nature-based tourism.
• Has knowledge of various approaches to experience and learning in nature-based tourism.
• Has knowledge of the terms transparent guiding, group awareness, planning, situational awareness, and decision making in nature.
• Has broad knowledge of the history, traditions, distinctive character and place in society of the Nordic Friluftsliv and eco-philosophy.
• Is familiar with research and development work in the field of sustainability in nature-based tourism.
• Can acquire a level of legal and economic understanding appropriate to the environment in which they will operate after education.
• Can update his/her knowledge in the field of the nature, culture and geopolitical conditions in the polar region.

Skills

• Master relevant tools, techniques and styles to be a nature guide and a outdoor leader in the arctic.
• Master relevant tools, techniques and styles to facilitate and enhance a guest’s experience of nature and in that context, create space for reflection and contemplation.
• Can apply knowledge into practical skills in organizing groups in vulnerable nature on nature’s terms and with a low impact on nature.
• Can apply knowledge to recognize most common arctic plants, animals, landscapes.
• Master relevant tools, techniques and styles to teach knowledge about the polar region to various groups.

General competence

• Can plan and carry out professional nature guiding in the arctic using personal leadership styles and a diversity of guide skills.
• Be aware of the demands tourism makes on a nature guide and their own role in a tourism business.
• Has insight into the connection between good experiences and learning of guests in the nature.
• Develop awareness regarding their own values ​​related to nature guiding and tourism.
• Be aware of the ecosystem of the Arctic nature; and be aware of what role nature guides can play as ambassadors and friends of the vulnerable Arctic nature with regard to interaction with the guest.
• Can exchange opinions and experiences with others college guides and administration, thereby contribute to the development of good practice of nature guiding in their community.

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods

Each student is expected to work 500 hours to achieve the learning outcomes of the subject.

This subject will be taught throughout the year with a focus on individual development. The teaching will include a combination of theoretical lectures, joint reflection discussions, guide and leadership assignments on all the trips, systematic self-evaluation and student evaluation, and supervisor discussions and case work. Guide role experience will be obtained through a practical training period. This period will be carried out as interval sessions in the autumn semester and in a longer period in the spring semester. The period should consist of about 150 hours in total. The candidate will develop a plan for the period, which must be approved by the teacher. The criteria for the period are given in a separate document, which candidates will receive at the start of the studies.

The field excursions and practice placement are following a development process during the study year. That means for participating in any new field excursion and the practice placement it is required one hundred percent participation on all previous field excursions and safety courses described in the course Safe Guiding in Arctic.