Episode 20: Mobile gaming and augmented reality outdoors

With Mary Clark of Agents of Discovery

What does the research say about using mobile apps and augmented reality (AR) to connect students to the outdoors in engaging and meaningful ways? How do these digital tools impact learners’ conservation ethic? Can they have intergenerational appeal even though the average tech generation is only three tears? What does all of this mean for the future of experiential guides and nature interpreters in parks and other green spaces? Agents of Discovery CEO Mary Clark joined us to chat about all of this and more, including Acorn Woodpeckers, Smokey Bear, Snowy Owls, and… Betty White!?!

Guest (from the Agents of Discovery website):

Mary Clark is the CEO of Agents of Discovery. She​ ​is​ ​a​ ​dynamic​ ​leader​ ​with​ ​a​ ​passion​ ​for​ ​creating​ ​education​ ​technologies​ ​that​ ​change​ ​the​ ​world.​ A​ ​visionary​ entrepreneur​ ​who​ ​brings​ ​a​ ​unique​ ​perspective​ ​to​ ​product​ ​development, ​Mary​ brings years of experience as a teacher and science​ ​textbook writer​ to​ ​her​ ​executive​ ​role.​ ​She​ ​holds​ ​a​ ​B.Sc. (Honors)​ ​and​ ​B.Ed.​ ​from​ ​the​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Alberta,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​an​ ​M.Ed.​ ​(with​ ​a​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​education technology)​ ​from​ ​the​ ​University​ ​of​ ​British​ ​Columbia. Mary has been the recipient of numerous awards, ranging from the Louise McKinney Award for Top Student at the University of Alberta in the Faculty of Education, Edwin Parr Teacher Award for Best First Year Teacher in Alberta, and Canada’s Top 50 women in STEM.