Nature Journals for Educators

Journal page © Mark Baldwin

Nature journals can be used in both formal and informal education settings to record observations of the natural world and create opportunities to learn art, science, mathematics, and language arts. Journals used in this way are practically unmatched for enhancing observational and thinking skills at the same time they enhance knowledge and appreciation for local nature.

This workshop will get you started keeping nature journals of your own and guide the use of nature journals as tools for teaching and learning. We will consider the importance of journal keeping in the context of scientific inquiry: Exploration, Data Collection, and Meaning-making. You will engage in a project based in the process of inquiry.

Conducting an enlightening, productive inquiry of your own using your nature journal as the primary tool for exploring, recording, and responding to the world around you, will prepare you to create similar powerful learning experiences for your students. Your ability to prepare, implement and evaluate a nature journal-based learning experience will, of course, depend on what you can realistically do during the workshop's timeframe. Nevertheless, be prepared to apply what you have learned in a real teaching situation and share this experience with your colleagues using the course communication tools provided.

Journal page © Mark Baldwin

This course is taught online using the Angel Learning Management system, which requires access to the Internet. After you register you will receive a password allowing you online access to course materials and interactive features. You do not have to log in on a specific day or time of day, but you should log in two to three times per week. The following syllabus suggests times allotted for various elements of the workshop. These suggested times total about 15 hours. Of course, actual times will vary depending on your particular situation and the extent of your interaction with other workshop participants and your instructor as a community of learners. You will also be asked to participate in a workshop evaluation as an important part of our effort to improve what we are doing.

Ultimately, the goal of this workshop is to create a group of educators able and willing to communicate with each other about the opportunities and challenges of using nature journals as tools for teaching and learning both personally and professionally.