Justifications - why your school/district should invest in this technology
Let's face it, we all have dream wish lists, things we would buy if the school district had unlimited funds. The sad reality, however, is that funds are limited and every department is vying against the others for their share of them. when every penny counts, schools and districts want to know what benefit the purchase will have on student learning, and how many other departments and classes can use it. So you have to be prepared to justify any request you make. This may take a little bit of research on your part to supplement and back up the following statements, but it is easy to find.
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* The technology can be used in other classrooms
- easy with laptops, pocket PCs/tablets, flipcameras and programs - not so easy with science specific items like handheld GPS units and altimeters * The students will learn better from it - INQUIRY is the big watchword here. This technology will promote student inquiry, and thereby enhance critical thinking. - Real-life applications rather than abstract concepts * Getting students back outside - with a purpose - There are so many articles out there on various different aspects of this, from the psychological need for play and sunlight and needs of interaction with nature, to the health/wellness support for nature education, to simply stats on how little time students spend outside compared to generations past. Pick your viewpoint and run with it. * Incorporating technology - that can sometimes be reason/justification enough depending upon your school district and their push for teachers to use more technology in the classroom * Opportunities for presenting at conferences, publication of articles, etc - Touch upon how it will look good for the district at conferences - Does your school reward journal article publication? If so, you might be able to use that to your advantage. * Prestige - YOUR district is using this, doing this modified class, using a new method, etc. What about this can the district use to their bragging advantage? |
Journal Articles
The following is a list of journal articles that you might find relevant to your justification of the resources. As you find others, please take a moment and share them with me so I can include them in this list.
- Bixler, R. D., Floyd, M. F., & Hammitt, W. E. (2002). Environmental Socialization: Quantitative Tests of Childhood Play Hypothesis. Environmenal Behavior, 34(6), 795-818.
- Burdette, H. L., & Whitaker, R. C. (2005, January). Resurrecting Free Play in Young Children. Archives of Pedriatric and Adolsecent Medicine, 159, 46-50.
- Cantrell, P., & Knudson, M. S. (2006). Using Technology to Enhance Science Inquiry in an Outdoor Classoom. Computers in the School, 23(1/2), 7-18.
- Committee on High School Biology Education, National Research Council (National Academy of Science). (1990). Fulfilling the Promise: Biology Education in the Nation's Schools. National Academy Press.
- Jablon, P. C. (1992). A Generic Biology Textbook Review: It Is Time to Stop Placing Band-Aids on OUr Biology Curricula. The American Biology Teacher, 54(2), 72-74.
- Kail, A. (2006, Summer). Sustaining Outdoor Classrooms. Green Teacher(79), 40-41.
- Larson, L. R., Cordell, H. K., Betz, C. J., & Green, G. J. (2011). Children's Time Outdoors: Results From A National Survey.
- Larson, L. R., Whiting, J. W., & Green, G. T. (2011). Exploring the Influence of Outdoor Recreation Participation on Pro-Environmental Behaviour in a Demographically Diverse Population. Local Environment, 16, 67-86.
- Littleton, C. (2011, June 13-19). New-Media Generation: Class of '11. Variety, 425(5), 14.
- Maller, C., Townsend, M., Pryor, A., Brown, P., & St Leger, L. (2005, December). Healthy Nature Healthy People: 'Contact with Nature' As An Upstream Health Promotion Intervention For Populations. Health Promotion International, 21(1), 45-54.
- Mcllroy, A. (2010, November 13). Young Minds Bloom In Outdoor Classrooms. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: The Globe and Mail.
- Ritter, C. (2011, November 20). Outdoor Classrooms Benefit Student Learning. Bloomington, Indiana: The Herald-Times.
- Roberts, D. F., & Foehr, U. G. (2008, Spring). Trends in Media Use. The Future of Children, 18(1), 11-37.
- Stephen, C. (2009, August 13). Outdoor Classrooms Educate Students Naturally. Calgary, Alberta, Canada: Calgary HErald.
- Thompson, C. W., Aspinall, P., & Montarzino, A. (2008). The Childhood Factor - Adult Visits To Green Places and the Significance of Childhood Experiences. Environment and Behavior, 40(1), 111-143.
- Wood, K. (2006, Summer). The Field of Dreams (and Other Outdoor Classroom Myths). Green Teacher(79), 35-39.