Tool talks
The key to safe use of tools is an understanding of how they work and the dangers they can potentially pose to the people using them and to those around them. Before using any tool for the first time children should be given a demonstration of the correct manner in which to handle and use the tool. The level of supervision and ratio of staff to children should be decided upon based on the client group.
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The most common tools used in forest school are the fixed blade knife, bow saw, loppers and bill hook. Below are links to tool talks for each of these tools. When giving the tool talk you should demonstrate each point in the tool.
Delivering tool talks to learners
Neil Fleming’s VAK model identifies three key learning styles – visual, auditory and kinasthetic. These are explained in the table below along with details of how tool talks can be tailored to suit each learning style.
Style | Description | Tool Talk |
---|---|---|
Visual | A visually-dominant learner absorbs and retains information better when it is presented in, for example, pictures, diagrams and charts. | Demonstrating the use of the tool will support visual learners. Tool talks could also be printed out along with pictures labelling each part of the tool or each step of it’s use. |
Auditory | An auditory-dominant learner prefers listening to what is being presented. He or she responds best to voices, for example, in a lecture or group discussion. Hearing his own voice repeating something back to a tutor or trainer is also helpful. | The tool talk should support auditory learners. Asking learners to memorise and repeat the tool talk to you or to their peers will reinforce for these learners. |
Kinasthetic | A kinesthetic-dominant learner prefers a physical experience. She likes a “hands-on” approach and responds well to being able to touch or feel an object or learning prop. | This can easily be incorporated into the tool talk by passing the tool around or asking learners to demonstrate the tool talks to you or their peers. |
Peers
Safe working distances
When using tools learners should ensure they are a safe distance from others and that others are aware they are using tools. ‘Blood bubble’ is the deliberately grim name for the area around a tool where there is a greater probability of injury should someone wander in to the area the tool us being used. Learners should be aware of the blood bubble around any tool they are using.
“Two arms and a tools distance” apart is the widely recognised safe working distance for tool use. Some learners will be able to visualise this and intuitively work at appropriate distances. Others will need support with this. This can easily be facilitated for younger or more vulnerable learners by marking out work stations appropriately to ensure safe working distances.