Business
Back 40: Big Sky tech summit
Published
7 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersBalancing technology and the natural world
Story and photos by Jeremy Harder EBS Contributor
Since the beginning of human history, we’ve been on a quest to find balance in our lives. Initially, we sought to balance our existence with two modes of survival, flight and fight.
We then pondered the ideas of ancient philosophers, world leaders and educated nutritionists. Currently, we share brainy quotes about life’s balancing act on the Internet, and purchase coffee mugs with similarly witty passages. We explore health clubs that offer yoga, CrossFit and seasonal dietary cleanses to aid in that elusive journey for the human need to balance.
Through trial and error, I have come up on the side of error countless times. I am the least balanced person I know. I either work way too much, play entirely too long, or contemplate this misuse of balance more than I practice it.
I’m an educator and we are supposed to live balanced lives. We work with children all day; discuss struggles and successes with adults at night; work most of the year; and (I love this one) have our summers “off.”
But maybe this is my way of balancing? I work tirelessly and play incessantly. Practicing the extreme on both sides of the scale just may be the way I handle my balance best. Like the nature of learning, balance is something we all do differently. Some are great at sitting quietly and listening, some learn best by watching others, while others must be vocally engaged in conversation to learn.
When I first started teaching in Big Sky, I wrestled with the normal practices in education and found it necessary that my students and me explored the outdoors every Friday. We would load up our backpacks and head out to examine all the oddities of the natural world, and return feeling refreshed and more connected with nature.
In this current stage of my tenure in the district, my role is a leader in technology. I promoted it in the classroom through the 1:1 student to technology device initiative. I run workshops for educators throughout the state, and plan daily learning experiences to practice the benefits of technology for students and staff.
How do we balance the use of technology in schools while preserving the instinctual desire to connect with nature? How do we keep the harmony of 21st century technology intelligence with physical, emotional and social intelligences?
The Harvard Medical School and National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health are among the many research institutions touting the positive health benefits of meditation, exercise, brain breaks and connecting with nature.
But how does this affect a generation of tech savvy individuals? Do we resort to fight or flight? I advocate we shift to welcoming a balance between technology skills and our well-being to meet the needs of our students.
At the Big Sky Global Technology Summit on Oct. 20-21 the district and attendees will explore ways to bring this balance to the classroom, and at home or work. Visit bigskytechsummit.org to register, or for more information.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during
more
Event Details
Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during their regular Toddler and Preschool Storytime on Wednesday, March 20, at 10:15 a.m. The free program, presented by the Bozeman Symphony is especially for children ages 3 to 5. Children will be able to listen to Montana Shakespeare in the Parks actor Emma Rather, who will be joined by Bozeman Symphony Bassoonist Sam Macken. The goal of the program is to encourage a love of music, literacy, and discovery. Additional programs are scheduled at the Library on April 10 and June 12. For more information, visit www.bozemansymphony.org or call 406-585-9774.
Time
(Wednesday) 10:15 am - 10:45 am
Location
Bozeman Public Library
626 E. Main St, Bozeman, MT