Technology and the Natural World
Recently a number of our staff members spent a day working with our CBE Outdoor Education Specialist on how the outdoors and natural areas can be used to enhance the learning of students, both in and out of the classroom.
Also, there were many staff members who recently enjoyed the "Serious Play Symposium" at the Telus Spark centre.
All too often in education we get caught up in the day-to-day work with students and forget one our central purposes. Teachers, parents, staff and especially students all want the same thing for our children. We all want kids to love learning and enjoy school. We understand that learning is hard work, but school should be a place students want to come each day and over the years, we have forgotten this.
Luckily, there are movements now to get children connected back to nature, play and the outdoors. This is excellent work and helps students understand their place in the world, while also helping with their learning. However, many people consider technology to be separate from nature and the outdoors.
In our new Century, technology can be powerful for enhancing our understanding and sharing of knowledge and this is also the case when we are working with nature. Technology allows us to research and connect with others in all aspects of our lives. Recently I was hiking in the mountains and noticed a plant that I found interesting. Within minutes I was able to identify the plant, its uses and how it fits into the ecosystem.
If I wanted, I could also have tweeted it out with a question, or shared it with others so that we could get conversations going about the plant, or whatever may have come up.
The point here is that we must connect more with nature, but it is also important that to understand how technology can help us do this. Connecting with play and nature are crucial as we go further online and at our school we are working to increase students mental and physical health through both our Environmental Literacy and Comprehensive School Health initiatives. This is truly powerful work that is only enhanced as we work on educating the whole student.
So, at home, get your children outside into the fresh air and encourage them to play and explore. That is what childhood is for!
Here is a video about how nature is used as inspiration for new technology! Truly the confluence of nature and Tech!
Also, there were many staff members who recently enjoyed the "Serious Play Symposium" at the Telus Spark centre.
All too often in education we get caught up in the day-to-day work with students and forget one our central purposes. Teachers, parents, staff and especially students all want the same thing for our children. We all want kids to love learning and enjoy school. We understand that learning is hard work, but school should be a place students want to come each day and over the years, we have forgotten this.
Luckily, there are movements now to get children connected back to nature, play and the outdoors. This is excellent work and helps students understand their place in the world, while also helping with their learning. However, many people consider technology to be separate from nature and the outdoors.
In our new Century, technology can be powerful for enhancing our understanding and sharing of knowledge and this is also the case when we are working with nature. Technology allows us to research and connect with others in all aspects of our lives. Recently I was hiking in the mountains and noticed a plant that I found interesting. Within minutes I was able to identify the plant, its uses and how it fits into the ecosystem.
If I wanted, I could also have tweeted it out with a question, or shared it with others so that we could get conversations going about the plant, or whatever may have come up.
The point here is that we must connect more with nature, but it is also important that to understand how technology can help us do this. Connecting with play and nature are crucial as we go further online and at our school we are working to increase students mental and physical health through both our Environmental Literacy and Comprehensive School Health initiatives. This is truly powerful work that is only enhanced as we work on educating the whole student.
So, at home, get your children outside into the fresh air and encourage them to play and explore. That is what childhood is for!
Here is a video about how nature is used as inspiration for new technology! Truly the confluence of nature and Tech!
