Outdoor Ed APPbag of Tricks

Abstract

Wild Exposure Pty Ltd. (2015). Outdoor Ed APPbag of Tricks. [Mobile application software]. Retrieved from https://play. google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goodbarber.roprojecth no newspapers. I cast my eye over the small area dedicated for those of us who have time to sit down and savour our coffee. Yep, definitely quiet and, unfortunately, no papers that I can see. Everyone is on the phone, not talking, but playing? Reading? Working? "Apping"? That reminds me; I have a bit of apping to do myself. I sit down and join the small crowd, pulling out my phone as I do so. It's ironic that I have stumbled upon a chance to review an app. This was the year I aimed to go "tech free" in my teaching, back to the ol' days some may say. My plan was to implement handwritten essays in the field; mud maps and the "crafting of things" on a grand scale. To avoid, as much as possible, the digital world. It is probably unsurprising that I encountered a few bumps in the road, such as electronic teaching platforms, assignment submission queries, weather apps, and now the new whizz-bang Outdoor Ed APPbag of Tricks from the people at Wild Exposure. By the time my coffee arrives the APPbag is well and truly open. Aimed at outdoor educators and guides, it is a collection of resources, including: icebreakers, program themes and briefs, readings, quotes, initiatives, games and activities, checklists, program debriefs, bushfire safety, and more. I look up, taking a sip of my short black, and notice the local paper on the seat beside me; but by now, I am keen to see what's inside my APPbag. By no means am I a tech guru, so what follows is just the humble opinion of an "average Joe" who works with students in the bush. The Outdoor Ed APPbag of Tricks aims to encompass multiple versions of outdoor education, from the school-based context to scouts, girl guides, and beyond. Depending on who you are and why you are in the outdoors will determine the helpfulness of this app. It will appeal both to those new to the field and old hands who have forgotten more than the rest of us know. Those establishing their career will find support and handy hints about program planning and checklists, as well as a solid array of activities and icebreakers. For the more experienced who are prepared to keep learning, new ideas can be found to tweak and mould into your existing repertoire. Gentle reminders are also present for things that might have been missed or forgotten along the way. The app is clearly designed to be continually adaptive, responding to suggestions from users, and does not pretend to be a comprehensive manual. The crew at Wild Exposure ask for feedback and ideas from those "coalface" app users who are willing to assist with improvements. More than likely, as more and more outdoor edders jump on board, the resources will build and the current gaps within the app will slowly close. Over time, the Outdoor Ed APPbag of Tricks may become the go-to resource for practitioners. …