iPaddle - Incorporating the Use of iPads ® into an Outdoor Education Curriculum

Abstract

The intersection of hand-held mobile digital technology and environmental education (EE) is a relatively new and unexplored concept. Thus, there is little information on how to effectively incorporate the use of iPads ® (tablet computers) in an EE setting. The purpose of this project was to write curriculum designed to take advantage of iPad technology to enhance middle school students’ ecological and local cultural historical knowledge and their nature awareness as they studied various aspects of a local watershed. The curriculum covered a wide variety of topics such as using your senses, nature journaling, aquatic macroinvertebrates, and local cultural history. This project resulted in recommendations for including iPad applications (apps) that may strengthen portions of local watershed lessons. Techniques for more effectively incorporating this technology are suggested for teachers, in both formal and non-formal educational settings. By implementing the curriculum using iPad technology, educators will learn skills and methods to help students become more engaged in learning outdoors.