Earth: The Original Learning Environment

Remember the outdoors? Yes, before you were teaching that was the place you spent your time in- you know- outside? Well, the outdoors are still there.  As a teacher who loves technology and science, I find myself struggling to get outside often because I'm stuck in my computer lab, and then tending to the family.

Many of us tech teachers try to to our best to "bring in" the outside world by having folks Skype into the classroom or using the Internet as a mirror to the outside world, letting kids have "virtual" experiences. A few years ago I brought in the Wilderness Classroom to my science curriculum, and with the help of the Chicago Shedd Aquarium, was able to offer my South Side Chicago students an experience they wouldn't normally have in a science classroom.  You can see the results of this on one of my very early blogs.

I make it my mission to find opportunities to teach in the outdoors as much as I can, getting my podcast kids outside in the nature trail, but it looks like I might be going on a much bigger teaching adventure...

In April of next year, if all goes right, I will be joining the Wilderness Classroom on their North American Odyssey. I plan on making this trip an opportunity to teach from remote locations, to show the range of Google Apps for Education, and to have kids share in my experience in the wild. We'll use chat, share video, create podcasts, and engage with wildlife in real time.

I think that it's important to show students that adventure has no boundaries, and that learning doesn't just happen inside of a classroom. I hope to show that my desire to learn extends far beyond what an institution can offer and that I seek out any opportunity to share with my students. 

Now, if anyone has some grant ideas so I can pay for all of this please leave me a comment below!