Technology In Parks

According to “Parks Using Technology to Engage and Inspire,” by Tom Dellner, there is a great tech debate whether technology belongs in our parks. After reading the article, I feel that technology will improve people’s experience in our parks. There are three main points that should be evaluated when considering technology in a park. The first are advantages of technology, the second is how technology engages kids, and lastly the challenges of implementing technology in a park. There are many advantages of having technology in a park. Tom Dellner stated “Wi-fi allows the always connected consumer to maintain their online lifestyle inside the boundaries of a park, engaging with media– social and otherwise –and staying in touch with

Children are happy to have the ability to use their devices, such as iPhones, tablets, and iPads, in a park. Local schools may use park resources as teaching tools to help them with up-close experiences (Dellner T ,2017 p.44). If children’s exposure is tied to nature, research shows that outdoor activity can affect the learning experience (Dellner T, 2017, p.44). Our national park service has many programs that have engaged children to participate using their technology. A website called “Web Rangers” is a great way kids can learn about national parks while playing learning activities (NPS, 2017). Another way parks can use technology to engage children is by developing apps that children can download on their smartphones or tablets. These apps are interactive for children and enrich their experiences in the park. An example of this is an app called “Wildobs”, which allows children to record wildlife encounters and learn about animals around them (NPS, 2017). Technology used this way in our parks will enrich the experience children have in the park as well as engage them to keep coming back to enjoy what the parks have to

The main challenge would be overcoming a resistance to change. People may believe that technology does not belong in a park instead people might believe parks are a place to escape from the fast pace of tech-driven lives. (Dellner, 2017, p. 46). Many researchers feel that children need to escape from indoor technology and spend more time playing outdoors and enjoying nature. There are campaigns such as “Ten Million Outdoor Kids”, to encourage kids to increase their physical activities. These efforts are tied to weight loss, anti-smoking and blood pressure concerns (Dolesh, 2015). People who resist change would argue technology does not belong outdoors and that children need to increase creative play, problem solving, and nature observation. The counter argument would be that technology can bring children into the parks which in turn will encourage physical activities and creative play. The more a child has positive experiences in a park the more they will want to come back and play. If they have the ability to use their technology then it will give them the incentive to keep coming