Technology Essentials in Education Episode 39:
Using Technology to Bring Environmental Education to Every Classroom

About the Episode

In this episode, host Monica Burns welcomes James Fester—an ISTE author, magnet coordinator at a Title I elementary school in Minnesota's largest public school district, and educator for the state's online school—to explore place-based education and environmental learning. James demystifies place-based learning as an approach that uses a student's local surroundings and real-world environment to forge deeper connections to classroom instruction. The conversation focuses on using technology intentionally to enhance outdoor experiences, such as collecting observational data, capturing media, or utilizing digital forms like Jotform. James also shares how immersive virtual platforms—including Google Arts & Culture and CyArk's Tapestry platform—can eliminate geographical and financial barriers, serving as pre-visit primers or standalone experiences for ecosystems like the Grand Canyon that students might not otherwise visit. Additionally, he highlights cross-curricular connections, pointing to initiatives like the National Writing Project's annual "Write Out" event, which combines writing and outdoor learning across ELA, social studies, and science.