The latest instalment of WoodChat, the Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) podcast series, focuses on a program of online learning options to educate children about the sustainable nature of forestry. Source: Timberbiz
ForestLearning includes various resources developed to enable school children to engage with and understand the world of forestry, and even pay virtual visits to locations they would not normally have had access to … all without leaving the classroom or home in some cases.
The current situation with COVID-19 has meant that teachers, parents and schoolchildren are seeking out new opportunities for remote learning. And for that reason, ForestLearning has continued to investigate, develop and roll out new resources.
The program includes everything from online work sheets and quizzes, to opportunities to connect with foresters out in the field via Zoom, and the use of virtual reality to allow students to experience forest and mill environments first-hand.
During the episode listeners will hear from Beth Welden, Program Manager of ForestLearning, who explains how the program is driven by the idea that engaging students early will help them establish informed opinions about the forestry industry.
“We hope to provide meaningful educational experiences, aligned to the Australian Curriculum, that truly engage students on sustainable and renewable forest and wood products,” Ms Welden said.
“We are hoping that by accessing ForestLearning resources, today’s young people will grow up with an appreciation of the sustainable and renewable nature of our forests.
“As the decision makers, voters and consumers of the future, it is important that today’s school children have an affiliation with wood and are fully aware of the benefits.”
During the episode, the hosts also hear from industry representatives involved with the initiative, teachers who have adopted the resources in their classrooms, and students who have experienced them.
