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Seth Spencer Candidate for MEd, Environmental Education Seminar Presentation

Exploring the Relationship Between Digital Nature Photography and Children’s Connectedness to Nature. Seth Spencer Candidate for MEd, Environmental Education Seminar Presentation. Introduction to Topic.

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Seth Spencer Candidate for MEd, Environmental Education Seminar Presentation

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  1. Exploring the Relationship Between Digital Nature Photography and Children’s Connectedness to Nature Seth Spencer Candidate for MEd, Environmental Education Seminar Presentation

  2. Introduction to Topic Children 8-18 spent an average of nearly 6.5 hours a day plugged in electronically. This equals over 45 hours a week (Louv, 2005). Gamingbus.com ikidapps.com

  3. Why is A Connection to nature Important? “We can be ethical only in relation to something we can see, feel , understand, love, or otherwise have faith in.” (Leopold, 1949) en.wikipedia.org

  4. Problem Statement The purpose of this study was to explore how taking digital nature photographs influenced children’s connectedness to nature. Martybugs.net

  5. Definitions Connectedness to Nature One’s “experiential sense of oneness with the natural world” (Mayer & Frantz, 2004, p. 504) friendsoftarrywilepark.org

  6. Definitions Youth Development • Seeking to meet youth needs • Build competencies needed to become successful adults • Youth programs help develop physical, social, cognitive, vocational and moral skills. (National Collaboration for Youth, 1996) successandyouth.com

  7. Literature ReviewHuman-Nature Relationship “Understanding young people’s environmental attitudes is becoming increasingly important because in time they will face environmental problems and will need to have the skills and disposition to work on resolutions for these problems.” (Bradley et al., 1999) K. Zwickey, 2012

  8. Literature ReviewHuman-Nature Relationship Benefits of Human Nature Relationship • More time outside, possible connection to higher classroom scores (Taylor & Kuo, 2006) • Lower anxiety and lower levels of ADHD (Senauer, 2007) • Stress reduction (Wells & Evans, 2003) S. Spencer, 2005

  9. Literature ReviewYouth Development Children and Technology • Children ages 6-11 spend 30 hours a week on technology (Louv, 2005) • 25% of the time they are using multiple forms of technology at the same time (Charles, 2007, p. 7). • This increase coincides with a decrease in the amount of time youth are spending in nature (Charles, 2007, p. 6). • How can we use this increase in technology to our advantage? (French, 2011) digitalqatar.net

  10. Literature ReviewPhotography and Youth Youth and Cameras • 3/4of children 6< living in economically developed countries own or have use of a camera (Sharples et al., 2003, p. 3). • Children took photographs • to ‘capture a moment’ • to serve as a reminder or memento of something that would not be available in the future • to create an interesting or aesthetic image (Sharples et al., 2003, p. 17). Shutterbug.com

  11. SignIficance • Technology is being used more in the classroom • 73% of Minnesota Outdoor Educators think technology can be an important tool in the outdoors (French, 2011) • Connectedness is become an important part of many federal and state agencies’ (NPS, USFWS, and MN DNR’s) mission • Is already being used by other organizations • National Park Service’s Parks in Focus • In a New Light Project S. Shimek, 2011

  12. Methodology • Non-Equivalent Control Group Design (Mixed Methods data Collection) • Population • 4th grade school groups • Setting: Local area schools • Existing Program • Independent Variable: Use of Digital Cameras • Dependent Variable: Perceived Connection to Nature creditcardchaser.com

  13. Methodology • Instrument: Connectedness to Nature Index (Cheng & Monroe, 2010) • Validity- pilot-tested with two 4th -grade classes • Reliability- Cronbach’s Alpha= 0.87 • Age Range- 8-10 years old • 17 variables that influence affective attitudes I like to hear different sounds in nature I like to see wild flowers in nature When I feel sad, I like to go outside and enjoy nature Being in the natural environment makes me feel peaceful

  14. Methodology:MN DNR Bridge To Nature MN DNR, 2011 • Purpose: • “It is hoped that through these workshops, teachers can help curb so-called Nature Deficit Disorder in today’s youth” (MN DNR, 2011) • What is it? • Teacher Workshop • Standards Based • Grades 3-9

  15. Results

  16. Results

  17. Results

  18. Results

  19. Results

  20. Results

  21. Results Example Responses: • Positive feelings about Nature: “I fell happy about nature why because you can see flowers and the people their.” “I like nature because you never know whatsthell do next.” School C, 2012 • Connected to Nature: “I feel connected to nature.” “I feel like Im with nature. I feel like Im home.” School D, 2012

  22. Results • Connected through Photos: “Taking pictures make me feel close to nature” “When I took pichers of nacher I loved it even more!” • Positive Feelings through Photos: “I feel that it is a good thing to take pictures outside.” “It makes me feel happy about taking pictures of cool plans and animals of things you see.” • No Change: “I feel the same as I was before.” “ I loved doing it but I feel the same as I was before.” School C, 2012

  23. Results

  24. Discussion • Prior to study, the influence of digital photography on children’s connectedness to nature was unknown • T-test- no significant difference in the pretest/posttest scores of either the control group (p=.477) or treatment group (p=.525) • A “ceiling effect” (Pedhazur and Schmelkin, 1991)? • Connectedness is stable (Schultz et al., 2002) School D, 2012 School D, 2012

  25. Discussion Suggestions for Future Research • Determine if digital cameras influence connectedness attitudes, or strong connectedness to nature= looking for new ways of exploring it. • What characteristics necessary to create connectedness. Does digital photography meet any of these requirements? • Other ways than direct experiences in nature that foster connectedness? School D, 2012

  26. Discussion • How technology is used in E.E. field. Fostering connectedness or hindering it? • Address whether connectedness to nature levels are impacted by children being from rural vs. urban vs. suburban areas. • Longitudinal study addressing the stability of connectedness to nature. School D, 2012

  27. Discussion Recommendations • Explore use of digital cameras over a longer period of time • Explore more finely-tuned instrument to test connectedness to nature • In general, explore connectedness to nature more • Explore teacher’s ideas/values School C, 2012

  28. Summary • Possible connection through cameras • Cameras create excitement, enjoyment when used in curriculum • Cameras have been around for years. With easy to use digital models, children may be more apt to use them in nature • Children are spending more time inside. Perhaps teachers/outdoor educators can use digital cameras to draw people back outside, into nature.

  29. Thank You • Committee • Ken Gilbertson, Ph.D. (Chair) • Tom Beery, Ph.D. • Sherry Boyce, M.A. • Friends and Family • Fellow Grads K. Zwickey, 2012

  30. Question Time! S. Spencer, 2010

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