Morten Asfeldt
Contact
Professor, Augustana - Social Sciences
- masfeldt@ualberta.ca
- Phone
- (780) 679-1158
- Address
-
2-307 Faith & Life Centre
4901-46 AveCamrose ABT4V 2R3
Overview
About
My home within the University of Alberta is in the Augustana Faculty in Camrose, an undergraduate liberal arts and sciences faculty. During my academic career, I have developed many international teaching and research connections and collaborations most notably in Scandinavia, the UK, and Japan. I grew-up in northern Canada (Newfoundland and Yukon) and have spent the last 30 years traveling by canoe, raft, foot, snowshoe, and dogsled to many parts of the NWT and Nunavut. One of the most gratifying aspects of my academic career has been sharing my love and knowledge of the north with students and colleagues from around the world.
Research
My research and teaching are tightly interwoven. My research explores questions that have arisen from my experience of teaching which includes spending hundreds of days and nights with students on extended wilderness educational expeditions, particularly in the Canadian north. For example, my research has explored perceived learning, critical elements, lasting impacts of wilderness educational expeditions, sense-of-place, journal writing, and research methods. In many ways, my research is a form of self-reflection on my experience of teaching with the goal of improving and understanding my life of teaching. In partnership with Dr. Rebecca Purc-Stephenson, we hold a SSRHC grant investigating the philosophies, characteristics, and goals of Outdoor Education in Canada.
Teaching
My teaching is primarily in the areas of outdoor, adventure, and experiential education. Many of my courses include wilderness expeditions such as canoeing, dogsledding, and hiking. However, these activities are primarily a means-to-an-end. The end I seek is a liberal education where students learn about themselves, working in groups, leadership, the world around them, and, of course, the development of wilderness travel skills while pursing the specific disciplinary goals of a particular course. Pedagogically, I seek to create organic learning experiences that encourage students to engage head, hands, and heart.
Courses
AUCSL 360 - Community Service-Learning Practicum
Content varies from year to year but will include a significant service component. Topics and credit value announced prior to registration period. Pre/corequisite: consent of the instructor. Note: AUCSL 360 is classified as an arts course. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.
AUIDS 286 - Selected Topics in Place-Based Studies
Selected topics in place-based learning in specific off-campus locations. The focus and content of each course are determined by student and faculty interests, and may vary from year to year. The course will take a specific place as the location and subject of study. The locations of study can be international or closer to home, but in all instances will encourage a significant engagement with the place. Note: AUIDS 286 is classified as an arts course.
AUPED 180 - Outdoor Skills for Work and Recreation
This course is designed to provide students with the foundational skills and knowledge for safe and enjoyable work and recreational experiences in the outdoors. Students will develop skills such as personal thermoregulation, efficient camp management, trip planning, equipment selection and repair, food planning and water treatment, knots and shelters, fire lighting and stove use, axe and saw use, outdoor cooking and a variety of safety skills including hypothermia prevention and treatment and bear safety. Skills will be practiced during weekly labs and other short local field experiences.
AUPED 184 - Introduction to Outdoor Education - Snowshoeing
Introduction to winter travel skills of snowshoe, hand-hauled toboggan, and wall tent living. The course examines a variety of outdoor education theories and perspectives regarding leadership, group dynamics, and nature-human relationships. In addition, placed-based educational strategies will be used to develop a broad understanding of the expedition route. Note: The course requires participation on a multi-day overnight field trip. Students are required to provide personal outdoor clothing and equipment.
AUPED 281 - Explorations of the Canadian North
In this course students will examine the Canadian North from an experiential perspective. Students will study the many factors involved in an extended winter expedition in sub-arctic Canada and will spend two weeks in the North participating in dogsled expedition, seminars, personal narrative writing, and a variety of other outdoor activities. In addition, students will analyze narratives from the Canadian North, with a focus on the expedition region. This course includes a 17-day expedition during February Spring Break and the week following. Prerequisite: One of AUPED 184, 283, 284 or 286, or equivalent; consent of the instructor. Requires payment of additional instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.
AUPED 284 - Introduction to Outdoor Education - Canoeing
Introduction to theoretical and practical aspects of outdoor education. The course examines a variety of outdoor education theories and perspectives regarding leadership, group dynamics, and nature-human relationships. In addition, outdoor skills needed for wilderness canoe tripping will be developed. Note: The course requires participation on a multi-day overnight field trip. Students are required to provide personal outdoor clothing and equipment. Prerequisite: second-year standing. Note: Credit may only be received for one of AUPED 283 and 284.
Featured Publications
Morten Asfeldt, Rebecca Purc-Stephenson, Thomas Zimmerman
Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education. 2022 August; Advanced Online - Open Access 10.1007/s42322-022-00102-4
Morten Asfeldt, Rebecca Purc-Stephenson, Thomas Zimmerman
Environmental Education Research. 2022 August; Advanced Online - Open Access 10.1080/13504622.2022.2061919
Simon Priest, Morten Asfeldt
The International Journal of Sport History. 2022 June; Advanced Online 10.1080/09523367.2022.2083108
Morten Asfeldt
In Henderson, B. and Blenkinsop, S. (2022). Paddling Pathways: Reflections on a Changing Landscape. Your Nickel's Worth Publishing.. 2022 May;
Morten Asfeldt, Paul Stonehouse
In Thomas, G., Dyment, J., Prince, H. (eds) Outdoor Environmental Education in Higher Education. International Explorations in Outdoor and Environmental Education, vol 9. Springer, Cham. 2021 November; 10.1007/978-3-030-75980-3_28
Morten Asfeldt, Rebecca Purc-Stephenson, Mikeala Rawleigh, Sydney Thackeray
Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning. 2020 June; Advanced Online
Morten Asfeldt, Takako Takano
Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad. 2020 May; 32 (2):12-33
Purc-Stephenson, R.; Rawleigh, M.; Kemp, H. & Asfeldt, M.
Journal of Experiential Education. 2019 May; (Advance Online):1-18
Asfeldt, M., Hvenegaard, G. & Stephenson, R.
Journal of Experiential Education. 2018 January; 41 (3):241-260
Mikeals, J. & Asfeldt, M.
The Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education.. 2017 January; 20 (2):2-13
Asfeldt, Purc-Stephenson, Hvenegaard
Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership. 2017 January; 9 (3):323-339
Asfeldt, M. & Beames, S.
Journal of Experiential Education.. 2017 January; 40 (1):72-86
Asfeldt, M.
The Teaching Professor. 31 (10):1, 7.