Technology and the outdoors: Some experiential possibilities

[James Neill]

I'm wondering if you have any suggestions or ideas for an upcoming conference presentation.  I'm especially interested in examples of efforts to use technology in outdoor education...as well as criticisms of such approaches and arguments for keeping technology out of the outdoors.

Technology and the outdoors: Some experiential possibilities

There is a philosophical tension in outdoor education about the role of technology. On the one hand, we strip clients of modern technology and engage them in simple living, adventurous activities in natural environments. On the other hand, there are new experiential learning opportunities available via mobile devices, the internet, and multi-media, etc. How might 21st century technology be used to enhance outdoor education? Possibilities include digital photography, video, audio, maps, blogs, wikis, geocaching, pedometers, and virtual environments. 

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James Neill, keynote presentation, Outdoor Recreation Industry Council (ORIC) Conference, 25 - 26 August, 2007, Novotel, Olympic Park, Sydney, NSW, Australia

[Kylie Rowsell]

Something immediately sprang to mind when I read this......

 

In 2005, I was involved with A LINKS TO LEARNING PROJECT.

i MET THE GIRLS WHO RAN THE aSPIRE cOOPERATIVE ADVENTURE (oops caps lock) learning mob in Orange.

they had the kids in log huts in snowy bush, with not much in the way of facilities.

but I do remember them using fairly old tech, to make digital stories.

They would do stuff in the day, and make digital stories in the nite, in this freeezing timber hut in the middle of nowhere.

 

I can't remember the ladies names (one had been working in ski tourism in Europe before she started doing the stuff in Orange)

But here is an Email: aspir...@optusnet.com.au

Thanks,
Kylie
Training Coordinator
Hunter Councils Learning and Development
 
ph: 4978 4016

 

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From: teachAndL...@googlegroups.com [mailto:teachAndL...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of James Neill
Sent: Tuesday, 3 July 2007 10:16 AM
To: teachAndL...@googlegroups.com; Outdoor Education; OUTRES; Outdoor-Ed List; Experiential Education Listserv
Subject: :: TALO :: Technology and the outdoors: Some experiential possibilities

[Leigh Blackall]

Hey James,

I have emailed you off list about this so as to include a few people in CC who may not want the list to see their email.. here's my message copy pasted for the list's reference:

Hey James,

P... and I are preparing to develop an avalanche course using various technology.

Ideas have included use of video on mobile media players, geocaching, and simulation in second life.

P... spends more time in the mountains than he does at a computer (lucky bugger), so we might benefit from the work you are doing. Perhaps we could help you as a perspective still at the stages of simply considering technology...

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Leigh Blackall
+64(0)21736539
skype - leigh_blackall
http://learnonline.wordpress.com