This week, we participated in an EdCamp – a virtual conference style discussion concerning a chosen topic related to learning and student development. Our group focused on outdoor learning, as it pertains to different subjects, including cross-curricular applications, benefits, and challenges for students.

Overall, the EdCamp was a very efficient way to engage with colleagues virtually, without planning an event requiring a venue, registration list, guest speakers, technology, and other conference logistics. Our group was able to vote on a topic and begin a discussion within 15 minutes, in breakout rooms, and engage in professional conversation as we would sitting in a conference room. I think that EdCamps would be an exceptional tool for teachers (and students alike) to use on Pro D days, or with international colleagues. It provided the perfect opportunity for a focused discussion and minimal preparation, unlike a conference. One drawback to EdCamp is the inability to be in the same room, engaging in a tactile way with materials and developing professional relationships in person. The other concern would be to ensure equitable access to a device so all individuals can attend virtually. I think it would be important to engage with both EdCamp style conferences and in person style conferences to ensure adequate professional development.

Our session on Outdoor Learning was very productive – including discussion highlights as follows:

• Intentionality of promoting our students’ engagement with content and material outdoors.
• High potential for cross-curricular involvement between subject areas (ex. PHE and physics class doing an outdoor lab together)
• Important for students to learn resilience, preparation and skills through outdoor learning and being outside.

All in all – a productive EdCamp with colleagues that provided us all with tools for practicums and beyond.