Connecting technologies and nature: Impact and opportunities for digital media use in the context of at-home family environmental learning

Abstract

Individuals increasingly rely on digital media technologies to learn about and access new information. Yet, despite the dramatic rise in electronic media use among youth and adults, our understanding of its impact, opportunities, and challenges within environmental education remains limited, especially in home contexts. Using a learning ecology framework, we conducted a two-week diary study with 58 diverse adult caretakers, asking them to engage in environmental learning moments with their children. Drawing on qualitative reports of those moments, we found that families relied heavily on digital technologies to support their child’s environmental learning, frequently to supplement other activities or spark rich discussions. Findings illustrate how the digitalization of environmental education can extend beyond passive screen time. Overall, this study reveals the critical role of family conversations and shared digital technologies in supporting environmental learning.

Keywords:

• environmental learning
• nature
• children
• families
• learning technologies
• environmental communication

Acknowledgments

We are immensely grateful to the 58 families who generously shared their time, thoughts, and learnings with us in the midst of busy everyday lives. Thanks to those who provided insight and input throughout the research process, especially Brigid Barron, Paulo Blikstein, and Alison Bowers. Thanks to our anonymous reviewers and the special issue editor, Gregory Lowan-Trudeau, for their productive feedback.

Notes

1 The “Global Warming Six Americas,” an initiative of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, has undertaken research to identify “six unique audiences within the American public that each respond to [climate change] in their own distinct way.” (climatecommunication.yale.edu; Leiserowitz et al., 2021). The segments identified within this process include alarmed, concerned, cautious, disengaged, doubtful, and dismissive.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Amir Lopatin Fellowship and by the National Geographic Society COVID-19 Grant for Research and Exploration.