Introduction
How does technology fit within an environmental education program? Technology is a great tool, but where does it have it's place with in the outdoor education? Where does hands-on learning and technology meet to help students understand the world around them?
Task
In light of the changing society and changing standards of schools, technology has become an important tool. Outdoor education programs are about connecting students with nature and the creation around them. Hands- on activities and experiements are highlights of the programs. Where does technology fit into teaching students about the outdoors? How can outdoor education facilitators use technology effectively to teach the material without losing the connection to nature? Help find those answers!
Process
Take a trip through the web to find out the pros and cons of using technology with a classroom. Will technology enhance an outdoor education program and what forms of technology can be used effectively. As you click through the links to find your answer, remember to come back to this page to complete the next questions
Why use technology for student learning?
What are 3 downfalls to using technology?
What are 3 benefits to outdoor education?
What are the benefits to using technology within an outdoor education program?
How can technology be used within a outdoor education program?
Now that you have researched outdoor education and the use of technology. Make your case. What forms of technology would you use in an outdoor education program if any?
What would be the reason you would not use technology in an outdoor education program?
Evaluation
|
Beginning 1 |
Developing 2 |
Accomplished 3 |
Exemplary 4 |
Score |
|
|
Discussion Gives a postion statement of why or why not to use technology in outdoor education |
Statement is incomplete with no reasoning | Statement has some depth but incomplete reasoning | Position is well developed but shows not support | Position is well developed and gives reason to holding that position | |
|
Task Completes the webquest with 90% accuracy |
Task is incomplete | Task is incomplete with some effort put forth | Task is 80% complete | Task is complete with 90% accuracy | |
| Can name 3 benefits to using technology in outdoor education | benefits are not described | only 1 benfit is given | 2 benefits are provides | 3 or more benefits are provided | |
| Can demonstrate downfalls to using technology | Provides no downfalls to technology | Downfall statement is incomplete | Shares downfalls but no reasoning behind the statement | Gives complete reasoning for no technology |
Conclusion
Working through the issue of using technology can be difficult. Having a good handle on what technology is out there to use and how to effectively use it within an outdoor education program is key to having success.
"It's about addressing the new needs of modern learners in entirely new ways" (Richarson, 2013, p.10)
Credits
English Outdoor Council. (n.d.). Values and benefits of outdoor education, training and recreation. Retrieved August 7, 2014, from http://www.englishoutdoorcouncil.org/Values_and_benefits.htm
Gerstein, J. (2013, April 18). Taking the learners and technology outdoors. In User Generated Education. Retrieved August 7, 2014, from usergeneratededucatihttp://eeweek.org/sites/default/files/Top%2010%20Apps%20for%20Taking%20…
Richardson, W. (2013, March). Students first, not stuff. Technology Rich Learning, 70(6), 10-14. Retrieved August 7, 2014, from: http://cup.blackboard.com/bbcswebdav/pid-499227-dt-content-rid-12863775…
Top 10 apps for taking technology outdoors (2013). Retrieved August 7, 2014, from http://eeweek.org/sites/default/files/Top%2010%20Apps%20for%20Taking%20…
Use of technology in teaching and learning (n.d.). In U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved August 7, 2014, from http://www.ed.gov/oii-news/use-technology-teaching-and-learning