Max Toulch

[Max Toulch @MToulch]

@Skoshin @pcoxon1 @asforan @mybritters @JaredCPBall So true! As a skilled facilitator however, are you not able to direct the course of conversation towards the understanding of nature? Additionally if you were out in the woods they would probably have questions about the trees, flowers, and animals they saw.

[Max Toulch @MToulch]

@Lindsay37108093 Well said! I think this tweet beautifully captures the essence why so many of us continue to work tirelessly to further develop outdoor education within our school communities.

[Max Toulch @MToulch]

@Timmonsteacher So true! Given that a regime change is highly unlikely, how can you work within the capitalist framework to instill these values of exploring nature and the outdoors in young people in the face of such blatant marketing?

[Max Toulch @MToulch]

@Skoshin @pcoxon1 @asforan @mybritters @JaredCPBall Great point Chris! Would you say then that it is the responsibility of every educator to become informed about the outdoors and outdoor education if they are not already?

[Max Toulch @MToulch]

@Christi14365521 @pcoxon1 @asforan @mybritters @JaredCPBall Great point about "the witness". This is such an important component of accomplishment. It's one of the reasons that social media apps like Facebook and Instagram are so popular, it gives people the opportunity to create witnesses where there are none in the moment.

[Max Toulch @MToulch]

@Lindsay37108093 @pcoxon1 @asforan @mybritters @JaredCPBall Excellent point! Follow question, do you believe that the gap in technological understanding between generations is leading to the loss of knowledge transfer between generations?

[Max Toulch @MToulch]

@AndreaW08840785 Very true. But just to play The Devil's Advocate, could we not use technology to build on the knowledge we already have? (instead of reinventing the wheel proverbially speaking)

[Max Toulch @MToulch]

#EDUC520J I'm sensing a theme regarding A1: developing Social Capital = improved Community connections.

[Max Toulch @MToulch]

@AndreaW08840785 Agreed. There's also lots of anecdotal evidence to suggest that people will take better care of something they know more about.

[Max Toulch @MToulch]

@Timmonsteacher Interesting concept, what do you mean by gear? Is that a metaphor for something?

[Max Toulch @MToulch]

@mybritters @AndreaW08840785 Brittany, I'm so down for this. Let me know the next time you're leaving PD at your school and I will volunteer to help you run something👍

[Max Toulch @MToulch]

A4: I would say start small, and consider the use of incrementalism when addressing teachers who are new to the concept. Consider walking them through a small activity or even just showing them the short video we watched. Every journey... #EDUC520J

[Max Toulch @MToulch]

A3: Honestly, I don't know. I think to achieve all of that would require tremendous time, energy, effort, and buy-in from multiple stakeholders. Whether or not that is achievable anytime soon is challenging to say the least. That doesn't mean we shouldn't try! #EDUC520J

[Max Toulch @MToulch]

A2: Absolutely! There are a number of books about Co-operative games and sports for children. If students are working together towards a collective goal then they are able to experience quality OE without competition.#EDUC520J

[Max Toulch @MToulch]

A1: I think we saw some great examples of accessibility today with the modifications to the canoe. Also, consider the technology we are using today to allow full participation. I think the better question is, how can we approach problems with more creative solutions? #EDUC520J

[Max Toulch @MToulch]

@Timmonsteacher @asforan Nice! I'm also using iNaturalist. I'm really enjoying how interactive it is 🤙

[Max Toulch @MToulch]

@asforan What could be more important for a child's well-being than freedom? #EDUC520J

[Max Toulch @MToulch]

@therealbrianma1 The line between unsafe and uncomfortable can sometimes be hard to differentiate. Invariably, we have legal requirements that limit what we are capable of doing. Meanwhile, as individuals we have the right to say "no" when something goes beyond mere discomfort for us. #educ520j

[Max Toulch @MToulch]

@Danica64640553 Consider allowing unstructured free time for short periods each day, provide open ended questions as the subject of these free periods, and embrace failure as a valuable learning tool as opposed to something to be ashamed of. #educ520j

[Max Toulch @MToulch]

@therealbrianma1 It makes outdoor education much more accessible. People are much less fearful if they have a cell phone with GPS, and are therefore more likely to participate, and, perhaps more importantly, allow their children to participate. #educ520j