Cameras, Kids & Hybrid Thinking

When I decided to experiment with connecting young students to nature via photography I was following a gut instinct that predicted combining their intrinsic interests in the outdoors and technology would result in sure-fire learning situation. While still early in the experiment, my initial hypothesis is looking good. Therefore, I was especially interested to read about the experiences of David FitsSimmons a freelance writer, nature photographer and a professor at Ashland University who helps children and young people learn about digital nature photography. A summary of his ideas follow and are based on a recent article about his work in the Children & Nature Network newsletter;  http://bit.ly/RSfGos

1)      Cameras Encourage Experiences in Nature

·        Children taking cameras into nature catalyzes visual creativity

·        As they find fascinating objects to photograph-they want to return to the site again and again

2)      Focus on Nature

·        View finder focuses attention on a small area allowing examination of details rarely observed when playing or walking in natural environments

·        Children physically move into small spaces to better frame their pictures seeing well known areas from a new viewpoint

3)      Hybrid Experiences

·        Children develop “hybrid thinking” ( Richard Louv) : technology & nature a fusion of two intelligences.

4)      Memorializing Moments

·        Photos are visual records of experiences in nature

·        Children can reflect upon their experiences from outdoors inside -and creatively use them as the starting point for writing, artwork, music, dramatics, science research

5)      Click-n-Share

·        Social sharing of photos with others via prints, email or other on-line tools spreads an enthusiasm for the natural world peer-to-peer

·        Sharing enthusiastically can lead to a conservationist mind-set

Most of FitzSimmons' points I had experienced myself when working with K-6 students. However, the concept of ‘hybrid thinking’ was new to me. Louv's use of the term is largely in reference to the act of combining children's love of technology and the outdoors as a way to heighten connection to the natural world. Interestingly, it is also a term that can be traced back to an IT research and develop company called Gartner, Inc. Founded in 1979, it is now a public company whose R&D work is widely used by government agencies, large corporations and  technology industries. (For more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gartner )

Hybrid thinking in the Gartner context is a refinement of design thinking that it involves an integration of three concepts for solving problems that are culturally entrenched, also referred to as 'wicked problems'. To quote from Gartner materials- these are problems that are “ambiguous, contradictory and incredibly complex”…They are not conventionally possible to solve because the “interests are so divers and divisive, interdependencies are so complex and so little understood, behaviors are so dynamic and unpredictable”

The Gartner model suggests that hybrid thinking is one way to approach ‘wicked problems’. In essence, this process three points of focus with the first one being key to the process.

·        Solutions must be culturally meaningful or they will not be sustained by users and to be culturally meaningful they must have a strong emotional appeal

·        Solutions must be technologically possible

·        Solutions must be economically sustainable

For more information on Hybrid Thinking: http://bit.ly/RiR1HZ

Richard Louv's point is that the use of photography by children to capture natural subjects encourages hybrid thinking of a different  sort - the ability to synthesize the technical and natural world on behalf of connectedness to nature. Initially, Louv's idea would seem to have little to do with Gartner's model and for my young students, this may well be the case. But if the ultimate result of the efforts we are making with our young nature photographers is to lay the foundation for a lifelong connection to the natural world, then as adults they may well find themselves seeking solutions to 'wicked' environmental problems via a design thinking process that is quite like the one Gartner proposes. In both instances, hybrid thinking could be envisioned as an important aid in solving some of the difficult environmental problems of today and the future.