Recent Changes

Barnes, K., Marateo, R.C., & Ferris, S.P. (2007). Teaching and learning with the net generation. Innovate, 1-8. Retrieved from
http://www.innovateonline.info/pdf/vol3_issue4/Teaching_and_Learning_with_the_Net_Generation.pdf
Berman, M. G., Jonides, J., & Kaplan, S. (2008). The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Psychological Science (Wiley- Blackwell), 19(12), 1207-1212. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02225.x
Bohn, D. M. (2009). Engaging net generation learners by incorporating their ‘hot topics’ into the classroom. NACTA Journal, 53(4), 67-68. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com.login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/education/docview/214376183/fulltext/137C32891C867998E9B/1?accountid=14474
Liu, Z. (2005). Reading behavior in the digital environment: Changes in reading behavior over the past ten years. Journal of Documentation. 61(6), 700-713. doi: 10.1108/00220410510632040.
Loertscher, D. V., & Koechlin, C. (2011). Personal learning environments in the learning commons. Teacher Librarian, 39(2), 23-26. Retrieved from http://login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/915254353?accountid=14474
Retrieved from
http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/handle/2027.42/61641
McGrawHillPro. (2009, January 8). Don Tapscott, author of grown up digital: Meet the net generation [Video]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmXrnUSdT78

Charles is a co-founder and President of the Children & Nature Network (C&NN), a large umbrella organization which seeks to reconnect children and nature. She recommends a variety of strategies to help reconnect children and nature, the simplest being to go outside. As this is not always possible in school settings, especially on the daily level that Charles advocates, we have compiled the following list of “nature reconnects” that are feasible in most school environments. If you have further strategies to help reconnect students to nature, please add a sticky note to our Wallwisher below.
Teach outside. Even if it's just walking around the outside of the building, being outside makes students conscious of the weather and provides them with different air to breathe as they collect vitamin D. Field trips, hikes, and nature walks are positive options at any time of the year, but more viable options include outdoor poetry sessions, landscape-inspired painting, picnic lunches, and Physical Education classes.
picture. Researchers Berman, Jonides, & Kaplan (2008) have found
Plant some trees outside your school windows. In a research study by Matsuoka (2008), being able to see trees outside the school windows was associated with academic achievement and behaviour. The bigger the windows and the more natural elements able to be viewed, the higher the test scores and the fewer criminal behaviours were reported.
Maintain large plants at the entrance to your library.

Liu, Z. (2005). Reading behavior in the digital environment: Changes in reading behavior over the past ten years. Journal of Documentation. 61(6), 700-713. doi: 10.1108/00220410510632040.
Loertscher, D. V., & Koechlin, C. (2011). Personal learning environments in the learning commons. Teacher Librarian, 39(2), 23-26. Retrieved from http://login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/915254353?accountid=14474
Matsuoka, R. H. (2008). High school landscapes and student performance. University of Michigan: Ann Arbor. Retrieved from
http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/handle/2027.42/61641
McGrawHillPro. (2009, January 8). Don Tapscott, author of grown up digital: Meet the net generation [Video]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmXrnUSdT78
Nextgenlearning. (2009, May 11). What is next generation learning? [Video]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dBT9mmizL8

Teach outside. Even if it's just walking around the outside of the building, being outside makes students conscious of the weather and provides them with different air to breathe as they collect vitamin D. Field trips, hikes, and nature walks are positive options at any time of the year, but more viable options include outdoor poetry sessions, landscape-inspired painting, picnic lunches, and Physical Education classes.
Change your computer's desktop picture. Researchers have found that looking at pictures of nature deliver some of the same benefits as being in nature, although not as profound. A teacher's computer desktop picture often ends up being what's projected onto classroom screens.
In a research study by Matsuoka (2008), being able to see trees were correlatedoutside the school windows was associated with a decrease inacademic achievement and behaviour. The bigger the windows and the more natural elements able to be viewed, the higher the test scores and the fewer criminal behaviours were reported.
Maintain large plants at the entrance to your library.
Grow things you can eat. Growing can be an outdoor activity in small plots of land or raised beds, or an indoor activity as small as a teacup. Students get the added benefits of understanding the natural requirements for sustaining life.

Charles, C. (2009). The ecology of hope: Natural guides to building a children and nature movement. Journal of Science and Education Technology. 18(6), 467-475. doi:10.1007/s10956-009-9193-z
Cofino, K. (2012, June 3). Setting the standard [Web log post]. Retrieved from: http://kimcofino.com/blog/2012/06/03/setting-the-standard/
Common Sense Media (2011). Why teach digital citizenship? [Video]. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/dm5qka9cFTQ
Common Sense Media (2010). Omaha town hall from Common Sense, MTV’s A thin line & That’s not cool [video]. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/enFzmyC1cBM
Common Sense Media (2011). Why teach digital citizenship? [Video]. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/dm5qka9cFTQ
Coombs, B. (2009). Digital natives or digital refugees? Why we have failed gen y? International
Association of School Librarianship. Selected Papers from the Annual Conference. 1-12. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/education/docview/236051593/137B850E55D7C026831/1?accountid=14474

Tapscott, D. (2009). Grown up digital. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Thinksharp. (2008). Teaching gen y. Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CRi8Wgug-s
(2012, February 3).The3). The purpose of
Young, N. (2012). The virtual self: How are digital lives are altering the world around us. Toronto, Canada: McClelland & Stewart.