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About the images, as shared by Indigenous author and educator, Launa Purcell
A love of being on the land and the use of technology are not mutually exclusive. The majority of illustrations in Whispers of the Earth are a result of uploading nature photos and engaging with artificial intelligence by providing numerous prompts and adjustments to achieve the desired image to reflect the specific ecological knowledge. These images are then amended and finalized by our local graphic design artist.
The use of technology to support traditional ecological knowledge was on purpose. Integrating technology into place based learning practice can both support and uplift student’s and educator’s experiences while deepening learning. Technology is an integral component of the world in which our children exist. The goal is to channel the technology usage to pique interest in spending further time in nature and to ultimately promote future caretakers of the earth.
Apps that identify plants, trees, birds, and other species while on the land have the potential to increase interest in nature leading to land stewardship. Similarly, nest and feeder watcher sites can also promote student interest, while YouTube videos of how to care for the land can be pre lesson activities.
I believe that the sharing of land based knowledge and the use of technology can co-exist with the ultimate objective of teaching children to walk gently on the earth.
About the images from our Outdoor Learning Team
While we have worked hard to avoid the negative aspects of AI, we wanted to embrace Launa’s vision for this book. We have worked closely with Launa and her team at Rise Up Indigenous Wellness on a number of projects, and we know she comes to this work in a good, authentic way.
We continue to be dedicated to providing content that is human-created, while recognizing the role AI can play in enhancing creativity and accessibility, especially for underrepresented voices. In extremely limited instances where there is strong reason and intention to do so (such as in this case) we may support our author’s choice to creatively engage AI to help them tell their story through images.
However, educators can rest assured that all of our content is developed in collaboration with experts in the field.
