GB2519091A

GB2519091A - Outdoor teaching resource

Info

Publication number: GB2519091A
Application number: GB1317783.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Malcolm Knight
Original assignee: LEARNING OUTSIDE Ltd
Current assignee: LEARNING OUTSIDE Ltd
Priority date: 2013-10-08
Filing date: 2013-10-08
Publication date: 2015-04-15
Also published as: GB201317783D0

Abstract

An outdoor teaching resource comprises a free-standing whiteboard 2 having a water-resistant frame 4a, 6a, 8, 10, legs 4b, 6b, supporting feet 14, 16 and a magnetic board 15 held by the frame. A set of magnetic teaching materials (32a-d, figure 3) comprises indicia formed on a magnetic substrate and are provided for placement on the magnetic board. The frame, legs and feet are preferably formed from treated softwood, but may also be formed from a polymeric material or plastic. To ensure further water resistance, the magnetic board may be held within the frame by a sealing element. A method of manufacture and teaching method using the apparatus are also disclosed.

Description

Outdoor Teaching Resource The present invention relates to an outdoor teaching resource, and in particular to an outdoor teaching resource that includes a ferromagnetic sheet to which magnetic teaching materials may be magnetically attached. The invention also provides a teaching resource kit comprising two or more upstanding work stations and a teaching method using two or more spaced apart upright work stations Educational theorists and experts believe that outdoor learning is beneficial for students) especially children. However, resources for outdoor learning are currently inadequate. If a teacher wishes to hold a class outside, they must relocate a blackboard or whiteboard (assuming that free-standing versions of these are available) from inside a classroom to outside. Existing upstanding boards are not designed to be moved frequently and are typically quite heavy and difficult to manoeuvre. In addition) they are not designed for outdoor use and therefore have to be brought inside after the lesson is complete to avoid damaging the board.

What is required is an outdoor teaching resource that is specifically designed and constructed to be left outside in all weathers, yet still be able to function as a teaching resource when required.

suitably, the outdoor teaching resource will also be sufficiently lightweight that it can be moved relatively easily.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an outdoor teaching resource including an upright work station comprising a water resistant frame; a pair of water resistant legs; two or more water resistant feet, and a ferromagnetic sheet housed within a frame; and a set of magnetic teaching materials comprising indicia formed on a magnetic substrate.

The term "ferromagnetic" as used herein means that the ferromagnetic material is capable of forming a magnetic coupling or attraction with a magnetic element. Any element or compound capable of having a magnetic element releasably coupled thereto is considered to be a ferromagnetic material.

The outdoor teaching resources of the invention are designed and built to be located for long periods of time outside.

Suitably the frame, legs and feet of the work station are formed from a polymeric material or wood which has been treated to render it water resistant. In the interests of making the work stations as light as possible, the wood is suitably a treated softwood. Thus, the frame, legs and feet may be formed from a wood, such as a softwood that has been pre-treated to make it water resistant and/or which is treated after the work station has been formed to make it water resistant. The treatment may be applied onto the surface of the wood, such as a paint or varnish, for example Additionally or alternatively, the treatment may be impregnated into the wood fibres. Thus, in an embodiment of the invention, the frame, legs and feet are formed from a pre-treated softwood, such as pine, in which a water resistant treatment has been impregnated in to the fibres of the wood. In a further embodiment, the frame) legs and feet are formed from a softwood that is subsequently treated with a water resistant treatment (e.g. a varnish or lacquer) which is applied to the outwardly facing surfaces of the wood. In a still further embodiment, the frame is formed from a pre-treated softwood in which a water resistant treatment has been impregnated in to the fibres of the wood) and then subsequently coated with a secondary coat of a protective material, such as for example a paint coating or a varnish coating.

It will be appreciated by the skilled person that combinations of different materials may be used to construct the work station, provided that all of the materials provide the required level of water resistance. Thus) the frame, legs and feet may respectively be formed from the same or different materials.

In order to provide additional strength and ease of manufacture) the legs and at least part of the frame may be formed as a unitary or one-piece construction.

As the teaching resource and in particular the upright work station is intended to spend long periods of time outside, the ferromagnetic sheet is suitably sealed within the frame via a sealing element, whereby water ingress into the frame is prevented. Such a sealing element typically prevents water being held between the ferromagnetic sheet and the frame. The sealing element may be a pre-formed sealing element, such as a rubber seal located around or within the frame such that it engages in a water resistant manner the ferromagnetic sheet in use. Additionally or alternatively, the seal may be formed in situ. In this embodiment, the ferromagnetic sheet may be located within the frame and then sealed using a liquid or gel-like sealing composition which is then allowed or caused to cure) forming a water-resistant seal.

In an embodiment of the invention, the frame-forming elements each define a channel or recess on their inwardly facing surface. In such embodiments) the channel is shaped and configured to receive therein a peripheral edge portion of the ferromagnetic sheet. The sealing element is suitably located within the channels. The sealing element may be located within the channels prior to insertion of the ferromagnetic sheet, or it may be located within or encompass each channel after the ferromagnetic sheet is in situ It will be appreciated that ferromagnetic materials, such as iron or steel, tend to be oxidised relatively easily. In the case of iron or mild steel materials) for example) this results in the formation of rust. In order to prevent or minimise the formation of rust or other oxidation products that may interfere with the structural integrity of the sheet and/or its ability to magnetically receive a magnetic material, the ferromagnetic sheet may be coated to prevent oxidising agents reaching the ferromagnetic material. The coating may be in the form of a polymeric coating) suitably applied via a spray or powder coating process. The coating suitably forms a moisture barrier and a gas barrier.

In certain embodiments, the work station will have a size and weight that allows it to be carried relatively easily. However, in an embodiment of the invention) the upright work station includes at least one handle. As discussed above, the work station(s) of the invention are intended to be moved from one location to a different location as desired. Accordingly, carrying handles may assist the users of the station(s) to move them. In embodiments of the invention that include one or more handles, a single handle may be provided centrally, for example on an upper horizontal frame element. Additionally or alternatively, a pair of handles may be provide, which each handle being carried by a respective vertical side element of the frame or by a respective leg element.

The teaching materials of the invention can be prepared as required. In order to provide teaching materials that are easy to prepare and produce) the magnetic substrate of the teaching materials is suitably in the form of a flexible sheet. In this way) suitable teaching materials may be relatively easily printed onto the flexible magnetic sheet. With the appropriate equipment) a teacher can print the teaching materials directly onto the flexible substrate sheet. Alternatively, digital files containing the desired teaching materials may be transmitted to a printer who will prepare the teaching materials and return them to the teacher.

When used in a school environment, the or each workstation may also double as a playground activity centre. In this role, the magnetic teaching materials may comprise elements of games that can be played by children during outdoor breaks.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of constructing an upright work station for an outdoor teaching resource according to the first aspect of the invention, the method including constructing a frame of water resistant material around a sheet of ferromagnetic material.

This method may include constructing a partially formed frame, locating the sheet of ferromagnetic material into the partially formed frame and then completing the frame around the sheet.

In an embodiment of the invention) a partially formed work station is constructed by assembling the feet, the legs and a part of the frame) locating the sheet of ferromagnetic material into the partially formed frame and then completing the frame around the sheet.

Each frame-forming element may have a channel formed in an inwardly facing surface) wherein the channels are shaped and configured to receive therein a peripheral edge portion of the ferromagnetic sheet.

In embodiments of the invention in which each leg and a part of the frame are formed as a one-piece or unitary construction) the method may include securing the feet to the legs, partially constructing the frame, locating the sheet of ferromagnetic material into the partially formed frame and completing the frame around the sheet.

The method of this aspect of the invention may include sealing the ferromagnetic sheet into the frame such that water ingress into the frame is prevented. The sealing step may include securing a pre-formed sealing element to the frame or it may include applying a sealing composition around the peripheral edge of the ferromagnetic sheet.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an outdoor teaching resource kit including two or more upright work stations as defined anywhere herein and a number of sets of magnetic teaching materials which is equal to or greater than the number of work stations.

Although a single upright work station functions as an outdoor teaching resource, it is believed that a better learning experience is achieved if a plurality of upright work stations is used in combination. This allows for movement between the upright work stations and allows for the teaching materials to be split between the work stations. This in turn allows students to break the learning experience down into sub-sets, thus enhancing the learning experience and maintaining the students level of interest in the exercise.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a teaching method including: (i) Locating a first upright work station as defined in the first aspect of the invention at a first outdoor location; (ii) Magnetically attaching a first set of one or more magnetic teaching materials to the ferromagnetic sheet of the first work station; (iii) Locating a second upright work station as defined in the first aspect of the invention at a second outdoor location which is spaced from the first location; (iv) Magnetically attaching a second set of one or more magnetic teaching materials to the ferromagnetic sheet of the second work station; and (v) Guiding students from the first work station to the second work station.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the method of the fourth aspect follows on from the third aspect of the invention.

In an embodiment of the fourth aspect of the invention, the method further comprises preparing a first set of teaching materials; printing the first set of teaching materials onto a magnetic substrate in the form of a flexible sheet; preparing a second set of teaching materials; and printing the second set of teaching materials onto a magnetic substrate in the form of a flexible sheet.

Given the relative ease of printing indicia onto flexible magnetic substrate sheets, the teaching materials can be prepared relatively easily and cheaply. Thus, bespoke teaching materials can be prepared for different outdoor learning exercises.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the teaching method need not be limited to two upright work stations. Thus, the method may further include the steps: (vi) Locating the or each further upright work station as defined anywhere herein at a further outdoor location spaced from the other locations; (vii) Magnetically attaching a further set atone or more magnetic teaching materials to the ferromagnetic sheet of the or each further work station; and (viii) Guiding the students to the or each further workstation.

The skilled person will appreciate that the features described and defined in connection with the aspects of the invention and the embodiments thereof may be combined in any combination, regardless of whether the specific combination is expressly mentioned herein Thus, all such combinations are considered to be made available to the skilled person.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described) by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is front elevational view of an upright work station according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the upright work station of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a front elevational view of work station showing teaching materials magnetically adhered to the ferromagnetic sheet.

For the avoidance of doubt, the skilled person will appreciate that in this specification, the terms "up", "down", "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "width", etc. refer to the orientation of the components as found in the example when configured for normal use as shown in the Figures.

Figures 1 and 2 show an upright work station 2 which forms part of an outdoor teaching resource as claimed. The work station 2 comprises two elongate substantially vertical members 4, 6. An upper part 4a, 6a of each of the vertical members 4, 6 forms a vertical frame-forming element and a lower part 4b, 6b of each of the vertical members 4, 6 forms a respective leg of the work station 2.

An upper frame forming element 8 and a lower frame forming element 10, together with the two vertical frame forming elements 4a, 6a define a frame which is supported by the legs 4b, 6b.

A ferromagnetic sheet 12 is located within the frame. The ferromagnetic sheet is formed from mild steel and has a polymeric coating on both faces of the sheet 12. The polymeric coating forms a moisture and gas barrier.

The ferromagnetic sheet 12 is seated within a channel (not shown) defined by each of the frame forming elements 4a, 6a, 8, 10. A water resistant seal (also not shown) is formed in situ around the peripheral edge of the ferromagnetic sheet 12 such that water is prevented from entering the channels defined by the frame forming elements 4a, 6a, 8, 10.

The leg elements 4b, 6b of the vertical members 4, 6 support the frame and extend to respective feet 14, 16. The feet 14,16 extend transversely to the legs 4b, 6b and provided lateral support for the frame. Each foot 14, 16 includes a rubber spacer iSa, 18b, 20a, 20b (only 18a and 20a are shown in Figure 1) at each end. The rubber spacers iSa, iSb, 20a, 20b function to elevate the feet above the ground, thus avoiding the feet 14, 16 being in prolonged contact with wet ground, and to provide a greater degree of stability for the work station 2.

The feet 14, 16 are braced by brace elements 22, 24, 26, 28 (only 22 and 24 are shown in Figure 1), which are secured to the feet 14, 16 and respective leg elements 4b, 6b.

The work station 2 further includes a handle 30 which is provided on the upper frame forming element 8. The skilled person will appreciate that the function of the handle is to facilitate the moving of the work station 2. Accordingly, the specific location of the handle is not important) provided that it is able to perform its intended function. Thus, instead of a single handle 30 located at the top of the work station 2) the work station may additionally or alternatively include one or two handles provided on the vertical members.

Figure 3 shows an outdoor teaching resource according to the invention. The resource comprises an upright work station 2 as described hereinabove with reference to Figures land 2 and a number of magnetic teaching materials 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d.

The magnetic teaching materials are comprised of indicia printed onto a magnetic substrate in the form of a flexible sheet. Such flexible magnetic sheet substrates are well known and are commercially available.

The teacher may be able to print pre-formed indicia onto the magnetic substrates, if suitable printing equipment is available. Alternatively, digital files containing the desired indicia may be transmitted to a remote printer, who is able to create the desired teaching materials and return them to the teacher.

In use, a number of the upright work stations 2, for example 4 upright work stations 2, are located outdoors in a spaced apart relationship. Teaching materials 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d are magnetically attached to each of the upright work stations 2.

lithe work related to the teaching materials is required to be completed in a specific order, then the students may be directed or guided to the correct order of the work stations 2. For example, they may be directed to the first work station 2, which then directs them to the second work station and so on. Alternatively, if the work related to the teaching materials is not required to be carried out in any specific order, then the students may choose which order to visit the work stations 2.

The teaching materials are suitably designed such that when all of the work stations 2 have been visited by the students, a pre-determined lesson plan is completed.

S

Claims

Claims 1. An outdoor teaching resource including an upright work station comprising a water resistant frame; a pair of water resistant legs; two or more water resistant feet, and a ferromagnetic sheet housed within a frame; and a set of magnetic teaching materials comprising indicia formed on a magnetic substrate.
2. An outdoor teaching resource according to Claim 1, wherein the frame) legs and feet are formed from a polymeric material or wood which has been treated to render it water resistant.
3. An outdoor teaching resource according to Claim 2, wherein the frame, legs and feet are formed from a treated softwood.
4. An outdoor teaching resource according to any preceding claim, wherein the legs and at least part of the frame are formed as a unitary construction.
5. An outdoor teaching resource according to any preceding claim, wherein the ferromagnetic sheet is sealed within the frame via a sealing element) whereby water ingress into the frame is prevented.
6. An outdoor teaching resource according to Claim 5, wherein the sealing element is a pre-formed sealing element.
7. An outdoor teaching resource according to Claim 5, wherein the sealing element is formed in situ.
8. An outdoor teaching resource according to any preceding claim, wherein the work station includes one or more handles.
9. An outdoor teaching resource according to any preceding claim) wherein the ferromagnetic sheet is coated to prevent oxidation of the ferromagnetic material.
10. An outdoor teaching resource according to any preceding claim) wherein the magnetic substrate of the teaching materials is in the form of a flexible sheet.
11. A method of constructing an upright work station for an outdoor teaching resource according to any of Claims ito 10, the method including constructing a frame of water resistant material around a sheet of ferromagnetic material.
12. A method according to Claim 11, wherein the method includes constructing the legs, feet and part of the frame; locating the sheet of ferromagnetic material into the partially formed frame; and completing the frame around the sheet of ferromagnetic material.
13. A method according to Claim ii or Claim 12, wherein the method includes the step of sealing the ferromagnetic sheet into the frame such that water ingress into the frame is prevented.
14. An outdoor teaching resource kit including two or more upright work stations as defined in any of Claims ito 10 and a number of sets of magnetic teaching materials which is equal to or greater than the number of work stations.
15. A teaching method including: (i) locating a first upright work station as defined in any of Claims ito 10 at a first outdoor location; (ii) magnetically attaching a first set of one or more magnetic teaching materials to the ferromagnetic sheet of the first work station; (iii) locating a second upright work station as defined in any of Claims ito 10 at a second outdoor location which is spaced from the first location; (iv) magnetically attaching a second set of one or more magnetic teaching materials to the ferromagnetic sheet of the second work station; and (v) guiding students from the first work station to the second work station.
16. A teaching method according to Claim 15, wherein the method further comprises preparing a first set of teaching materials; printing the first set of teaching materials onto a magnetic substrate in the form of a flexible sheet; preparing a second set of teaching materials; and printing the second set of teaching materials onto a magnetic substrate in the form of a flexible sheet
17. A teaching method according to Claim 15 or Claim 16, wherein one or more further upright work stations are provided and the method further includes the steps: (vi) locating the or each further upright work station as defined in any of Claims ito 10 at a further outdoor location spaced from the other locations; (vii) magnetically attaching a further set of one or more magnetic teaching materials to the ferromagnetic sheet of the or each further work station; and (viii) guiding the students to the or each further workstation.