Technology in the Outdoors

Devices and Smartphone Apps

Anna FreedmanOWA Conference 2013

Philosophical Tension

Outdoor Education seeks to distance participants from technology to experience nature in its purest form

Outdoor Education programs are becoming reliant on certain aspects of technology ie. Safety, gear, navigation.

The Upside of Modern Technology

The perceived benefits of technology in the outdoors Increases safety Increases efficiency Enhances convenience and comfort Expands possibilities

However…. (Cuthbertson, Socha and Potter; 2004)

Technology in outdoor settings, may have the “revenge effect” (Tenner 1996)

Modern technology in attempting to increase participation in the outdoors by making free-nature more accessible and more comfortable to be in, has also had the unintended, antithetical effect of insulating people further from natural processes, both in terms of direct experience and in acknowledging their own impacts. (pg. 136)

If one of the goals of outdoor education is to connect with nature and the rest of life, the technology filter which adds membranous layers to our direct encounter with the natural world has the potential to work against the actual goal of the OE program. (pg. 237)

Implications of Technology(Cuthbertson, Socha and Potter; 2004)

Implications of Technology on Outdoor Experience Increase in popularity of Leave No Trace camping has replaced

cooking over fires to cooking with camp stoves – therefore eliminates the ‘need’ to learn traditional skills

Gear is now made the best and lightest materials – no natural fibers are now used.

Technology as a substitute for skill, knowledge and understanding – UNTIL it fails!

Perceived safety - does carrying safety gear make us safer? Decreased attachment to place Personal growth – learning how to perform fundamental outdoor

skills with success can lead to much personal growth (Potter, 1993)

Therefore…(Cuthbertson, Socha and Potter; 2004)

Instructors should ask themselves if the inclusion of another human-dominated layer, mediating our relationship with nature, is compatible with (ie. Is enhancing) program goals, is necessary for issues of safety and/or time, or is unnecessary and detracting from what they see to be at the heart of students’ experience (pg. 141)

From there… we make decisions as to what level within our program we will add modern technology.

St Hilda’s and Technology in the Outdoors

Staff: All full time staff have a smartphone. Issues: Battery Life and Reception

Department Issue: IPad / Apple TV / Go Pro / Digital Camera / Satellite Phone / Radio system

Modern technology such has smartphones out in the field are only used by instructors and not by students.

Safety Devices – Satellite Phones

A Satellite Phone is issued to each group in the field. The most reliant emergency phone device although cannot always get signal (ie in a gorge or thick bush).

Need to have clear instructions on how to use as some use international networks and others use australian networks

Safety Devices – Epirbs / PLBs / Spots

Spots – www.findmespot.net.au

Spot GPS - $198 Spot Connect - $239 Basic Plan $115 per year Additional plans approx $50

Safety Devices- Radio Systems

Marine VHF Radios VHF School Radio System – Great for areas of low mobile

coverage. Expensive to acquire.

Navigation Apps

Navionics – Australia and NZ $40.99 Can be used on

land and with no mobile reception.

Navigation Apps MudMap -$139.99

Navigation Apps

Google Earth – FREE

MotionX GPS - $1.99

Marine Tides Planner - FREE

Declination - FREE

Weather Apps Oz Weather - $1.99

Weather Apps Willy Weather - FREE Good Swell information (includes Rottnest)

Weather Apps

Seabreeze - $1.99

Weather Apps

WindGuru - FREE

Perth Winds - $1.99

Rain Radar AU - $0.99

Windfinder – FREE

Elders Weather - $1.99

Safety Apps

The Australian Early Warning Network – FREE

Safety Apps Beach Safe – FREE

Safety Apps

Twitter – FREE DFES (@DFES_WA) - Bushfire advice Surf Life Saving WA (@SLSWA) – Shark Sightings posted

as soon as they are reported.

Field Guide Apps

WhatKnot - Free

Field Guide Apps The Michael Morecombe and David Stewart eGuide to

the Birds of Australia - $31.99

Field Guide Apps

Clouds and Weather - $1.99

Field Guide Apps Night Sky 2 - $0.99

Improving Students Technique

Coaches Eye - $4.99

Other Outdoor and Office Apps

Australian Wildflowers - $2.99 Dropbox DocsToGo – Word / Excel 2XClient – Remote Server