Professional Development Overview

Studies have found that exposure to nature, even in small doses, supports students' overall well-being. According to Miller et al, a key barrier to teachers actually incorporating nature into their plans is a lack of confidence in their own abilities to do so (2022).

This professional development (PD) program is designed to create a supportive environment where learners can confidently explore the integration of nature and technology. 

Learners will be introduced to a diverse array of lessons that blend nature with technology, provided practical examples and hands-on experiences. By examining these integrated lessons, participants will gain insights and inspiration, which they will then apply to their own projects and teaching practices. 

Miller NC, Kumar S, Pearce KL, Baldock KL. "Primary School Educators' Perspectives and Experiences of Nature-Based Play and Learning and Its Benefits, Barriers, and Enablers: A Qualitative Descriptive Study." Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Mar 8;19(6):3179. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19063179. PMID: 35328873; PMCID: PMC8954476.

Professional Development Objectives

• Learners will describe the importance of nature integration in a classroom and the overall positive effects of exposure to nature on a students mental, physical, emotional and social well-being.
• Learners will discern how nature based learning can be combined with technology to increase student engagement through sharing and reflecting on their own attempts and by analyzing premade lessons that have integrated technology and nature to create engaging learning experiences.
• Learners will effectively incorporate technology into their nature-based lessons in ways that enhance their students’ overall learning experience.