Ecotours are an highlight of the Saskatchewan Outdoor & Environmental Education Association (SOEEA), as they offer opportunities for SOEEA members to explore specific environments within Saskatchewan.  On July 31, a group of SOEEA members ventured to the Boreal Forest Learning Centre (BFLC) at Ness Creek on the west side of Prince Albert National Park for SOEEA’s 15th annual Eco-Tour.  This trip into Saskatchewan’s boreal forest to proved to be an enlightening experience for all involved.  We walked, rode and sat with our guides as they lead us through trails and assisted in plant identification, spoke of developing learning opportunities, sang songs, played instruments, and told stories.  Our hosts were gracious in sharing their knowledge and relating their feelings about the relationship that connected them to this place.

Throughout the weekend we were told much about the forest and it’s eco-system. During the first formal presentation from John Murray, we were introduced to many of the interactions occurring among the plants and animals within the forest. We were taught that if we look closely in a forest, we can see things that are truly spectacular.  A theme emerged, one of responsible forest practices.  The forest gives so much in terms of food and wealth, but we have to recognize our role in giving back to the forest in order for the relationship between humans and this wonderful ecosystem to continue.

One of our guides Billyak, of Ecuadorian heritage, provided us with spiritual leadership throughout our visit.  Together, we visited and paid our respects the Grandfather Tree, said to be a tree of extreme importance and a place at which one should stop to bring nature into their being.  Billyak, told a few stories throughout the weekend with terrific messages.  One of my favorite was the story of Eagle & the Condor co-existing.  He spoke of the Eagle being a thinking bird, while the Condor by use feelings. Without each other, neither could exist for they need to fly together and use each others traits because of each creates a imbalance which leads to suffering.  He went on to tell us that often people get this imbalance and much good would come if we begin to think with our heart and feel with our brain.  He eloquently expressed that in order to form a relationship with nature we need to stop thinking about why things work the way they do, and start feeling at one with nature and take our place amongst it.  Many people spend too much time rushing for the little things in life, because we make the little thing too important; Billyak’s advice is to stop, slow down and feel our surroundings.

Another visitor to our Eco-Tour was life time area resident, Jonathon Fonos, a local fisherman and conservationist.  He re-emphasized the theme of giving back to nature; noting that if we look after the forests, we will in turn be looked after.  He also noted that he was fond of experiential learning within the natural environment by sharing that “you in’t going to learn by watching;I got a lot of nicks on my fingers by doing.”  Jonathon, described a few recent local controversies that he had been instrumental in preventing in the name of the forest.  He and a team stopped the construction of a northern logging route because the long term effects would have dire consequences to the region. He also noted that once Weyerhaeuser moved away from the area he noted an significant increase in animal activity, because they were no longer suppressed by the damage of the logging company.  Jonathon, related the problem of monetizing the forest in these words, “Too often we try to sell the coop, instead of the eggs.”

Out on the west side of Prince Albert National Park, Gord Vaadeland lead us on horse, chuck wagon and mountain bike.  We traveled the trails and continued to identify plants and learn of their traditional uses.  We had the binoculars on the ready in case we came upon any wildlife, particularly the legendary wild bison that roam this area. We didn’t make visual contact with the bison but they did let us know they were there by wallowing and grunting deep within the bush.  That was a sound I won’t soon forget.  After of trail ride, Gord joined us back at camp to present the work he has been doing with the Sturgeon River Bison Stewards.  We learned of their connection with bison and a few neat facts about this herd of large animals.

Our weekend finished on a excited, by ultimately sad note.  On our final hike we happened upon a bird on the shore of Ness Creek. It looked different and we had a hard time identifying it because it was sitting in an awkward position.  Then it flapped and we realized that it had been caught up.  Upon further investigation we found the bird to be an Osprey that had become entangled in a ball of twine.  Immediately Billyak set to work in freeing the bird from this trap.  As the Osprey was too weak to fly or for much else we had it taken to the Vet Hospital in Saskatoon where we hoped it would recover. It looked promising, but 10 days later, this strong bird of prey fell victim to wounds it had suffered.  This was a prime example of human impact on the natural world. Even though we mean to look after this environment there are others that have yet to be educated of the dire consequences we have when we step foot in the natural world.

I have been a little nervous about where and how I was going to implement tech tools. But slowly it is happening. I set up the class blog and have used it to link the students to math games and endangered species information throughout the week but hadn’t really explained what it was or how we are going to use it. On Friday, I finally got our schools sole projector set up in the computer lab and introduced the class to Thinking Exploring Learning. They were the best behaved they had been all week, they ate it up. They, not I, can wait to get started. It was my intent to familiarize them with the blog through commenting and eventually take some time for them to create their own blog. This is all fine and dandy, until I realized that half of them don’t have email addresses yet and they are required for commenting on this blog. Little bump in the road. Their homework for the weekend was to try to set up an account, so far only two students have emailed me their address.  I think we will have to take some time to do set up email this week.

On the positive, my co-operating teacher really thinks that this blogging idea is great. This is a relief for me because it would be difficult for me to implement this tool if I didn’t have her in my corner. We both saw a difference with the class in the computer lab, they were so into it.  I am convinced that the use of this tool will reinforce the key learnings that we have over the semester.  They want to be on the computers, they recognize the computer as a valuable tool.

Going into my internship (Aug-Dec) I have been thinking about how to start. How am I going to infuse web 2.0 tools and technology into my students learning? Throughout this course we have been shown a lot and introduced to wide array of individuals. I’ve built a network of like minded individuals, classmates, new acquaintances and mostly folks I have never met. My interaction within my network of educators will continue to introduce new ideas, philosophies and guide my thinking. This network has became my base, it stabilizes me and focuses my ramblings. It will continue to guide continued learning and development. My participation is the greatest professional development course I have ever taken.

I am now conscious of my own digital citizenship. By developing my students awareness of their own digital citizenship, their real citizenship will be positively influenced. Our world is revolving around technology with little chance of slowing, our students need to be exposed to it. It is important that students understand that their online self is a direct reflection of them self and they have to be responsible for their own web use and safety. With digital citizeship an underlying theme of everything we do online, students will learn to identify and compare poor examples.

I intend to reach curricular goals, objectives and outcomes through the inclusion of technology. Technology use will just be part of my teaching, not just some special 40 minutes where we play games. I will be able to open the window to the world for my students. I will show them different places, how to analyze the world at a higher level, we will write for audiences that reach far and wide. I want to ensure that learning is meaningful, relevant and happens throughout students lives, not just in the classroom. Technology will aid my ability to do this.

I look forward to working through the future challenges of the ‘digital divide’, policy making, digital citizenship and whatever else is slung our way. I am going to commit myself to my students and their learning. I will learn when to guide and when to step back to let their brains pump. There will be stumbling blocks and I will get lots wrong, but I will reflect and strive for improvement. Technology will be part of my personal teaching arsenal of strengths, along with my appreciation of the natural world, my enthusiasm for learning.

I will be a facilitator, a soundboard, a mediator , a mentor, an editor, a leader, a planner, molder, a guide, a learner. I will provide my students with opportunities to think, to reason, to explore, to learn.

Interning will give me an opportunity to focus on the inclusion of technology within learning experiences. I am lucky to be starting my career with these and new tools, rather then trying to make the transition down the road. Not exactly sure what is going to happen in a year when I get my own class but I will be ready to dirty. I feel like I will be able to make the learning real. My students will be connected and exposed to high levels of thought and expertise, more than I could ever offer them alone. When I look in the crystal ball, I see myself with a little more experience and know how, maybe with some battle wounds but definitely with a smile on my face.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/16152133@N00/455286001 - This fellow has some amazing photo’s