QUALITY ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Mindy Murdock MS, CIG, CEEPark Naturalist – Nature Center Manager

Zionsville Parks and Recreation

A process which promotes the analysis and understanding of environmental issues as the basis for effective education, problem-solving, policy-making and management. – North American Association for Environmental Education

Increases public awareness and knowledge about environmental issues, provides skills needed to make informed and responsible decisions, teaches individuals how to weigh various sides of an environmental issue and does not advocate a particular viewpoint or course of action. – US EPA

A process involving life-long learning as we come to understand the complexity of our natural world and environmental issues, using various approaches for individual and societal decision-making based on knowledge integrated from various disciplines, and resulting in our own attitudes and action strategies to make a difference in the world. – Environmental Education Council of Ohio

What is Environmental Education?

Is environmentally literate. Knows the goals, theory, practice and history of field. Understands and accepts professional responsibilities

associated with delivering EE. Knows how to design and implement effective instruction. Knows how to foster learning, particularly a climate of inquiry. Possesses knowledge, abilities and commitment to make

assessment and evaluation integral to EE learning process.

A Competent Environmental Educator…

Is environmentally literate. Knows the goals, theory, practice and history of field. Understands and accepts professional responsibilities

associated with delivering EE. Knows how to design and implement effective instruction. Knows how to foster learning, particularly a climate of inquiry. Possesses knowledge, abilities and commitment to make

assessment and evaluation integral to EE learning process.

A Competent Environmental Educator…

Questioning and Analysis Skills◦ Ability to ask questions, speculate, hypothesize, seek, analyze

and evaluate information. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems

◦ Biological change, cycles, biodiversity◦ Human interactions with the environment◦ Cultural, political and economic systems

Skills for Understanding and Addressing Environmental Issues Personal and Civic Responsibility

Environmental Literacy

Is environmentally literate. Knows the goals, theory, practice and

history of field. Understands and accepts professional responsibilities

associated with delivering EE. Knows how to design and implement effective instruction. Knows how to foster learning, particularly a climate of inquiry. Possesses knowledge, abilities and commitment to make

assessment and evaluation integral to EE learning process.

A Competent Environmental Educator…

Fundamental Characteristics and Goals of EE◦ 1975 UNESCO-UNEP, Belgrade Charter – Goal of EE is to develop

a world population that is aware of, and concerned about, the environment and its associated problems, and which has the knowledge, skills, attitudes, motivations and commitment to work individually and collectively toward solutions of current problems and the prevention of new ones.

◦ 1977 UNESCO, Tbilisi Declaration How EE is implemented in formal and informal programs

Foundations of EE

The Evolution of the Field◦ Preservation and the Nature Education Movement ◦ Management and the Conservation Education Movement◦ Environmental Quality and Environmental Education Movement◦ Current and Emerging Issues - Ken Finch (2003 ANCA Summit) “We

have failed! We, the environmental education and nature center professionals, have not been successful at a societal level.”

Foundations of EE

Is environmentally literate. Knows the goals, theory, practice and history of field. Understands and accepts professional

responsibilities associated with delivering EE. Knows how to design and implement effective instruction. Knows how to foster learning, particularly a climate of inquiry. Possesses knowledge, abilities and commitment to make

assessment and evaluation integral to EE learning process.

A Competent Environmental Educator…

Exemplary Environmental Education Practice◦ Provide environmental education that is appropriate,

constructive and aligned with standards of the field.◦ Identify how environmental education can be used as a tool for

curriculum standards. Emphasis on education…not advocacy!

◦ Teach controversial issues without becoming part of the controversy.

◦ Two Hats by John Hug Ongoing learning and professional development.

Professional Responsibilities

Teaching Controversial IssuesGood EE is teaching how to think, not what to think.

Controversial issues can be great vehicles to help understand public policy and how governmental institutions work.

Offer opportunities to investigate real-world problems and explore multiple perspectives.

Demystification Strategy Remember, EE aims to foster in learners confidence that they have

the ability to inquire, learn, analyze, decide, communicate and participate.

Promoting your own perspective and defining a course of action is doing an injustice to your participants and the EE field.

Two Hats by John HugOriginally in Aldrich. James L. Blackburn. AM., & George. AA. 1977. The Report of the North American Regional Seminar on Environmental Education for the Real World. Columbus, OH: SMEAC Information Reference Center.

…Environmental educators, therefore, need to be as “value fair” or “value free” as they can when working in this role. They must scrupulously strive to get all the facts, examine and illuminate all the viewpoints, and keep from letting their own particular position from mixing with their educator role. My suggestion is simply that environmental educators make an effort to clarify the two distinct roles. At every opportunity, we should emphasize the neutral nature of environmental education. Strong advocates are all around us, each using the techniques of persuasion and propaganda to build their constituencies. We must, ourselves, be familiar with all sides, stand firm for each advocate’s right to be heard, and provide a rational stage for informed debate.

Environmental educators have the right and the duty to be environmentalists, but the dual roles must adhere to the original premise – to keep each hat on its proper head, while utilizing to the fullest the professional skills of the environmental educators.

Is environmentally literate. Knows the goals, theory, practice and history of field. Understands and accepts professional responsibilities

associated with delivering EE. Knows how to design and implement

effective instruction. Knows how to foster learning, particularly a climate of inquiry. Possesses knowledge, abilities and commitment to make

assessment and evaluation integral to EE learning process.

A Competent Environmental Educator…

Planning and Implementing EE

Knowledge of Learners

Tailor instructional approaches that meet the needs of diverse learners taking into account differences in:◦ Cultural perspectives and socioeconomic backgrounds◦ Age and grade level (Developmentally Appropriate Practices)◦ Levels of knowledge and experience◦ Special needs◦ Developmental abilities

Planning and Implementing EE

Knowledge of Instructional Approaches

Hands-on observation and discovery

Cooperative learning Service learning Problem-based learning Project-based learning Tips for Inquiry-based

learning

Community-based action research and problem solving

Investigating environmental issues

Case studies Simulations and models Learning cycle (5E model)

Planning and Implementing EE

Knowledge of EE Materials and Resources

NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence◦ Guidelines for the Preparation and Professional Development of

Environmental Educators◦ Excellence in EE: Guidelines for Learning (K -12)◦ Nonformal EE Programs: Guidelines for Excellence◦ Early Childhood Environmental Education Programs: Guidelines

for Excellence◦ Environmental Education Materials: Guidelines for Excellence

Planning and Implementing EE Technologies that assess learning.

◦ Use variety of tools or technology to help with observation, measurement and monitoring.

Settings for Instruction◦ Understand importance of a safe, conducive learning environment.◦ Link content to learner’s immediate surroundings and experiences.

Curriculum Planning◦ Integrate EE into curriculum, programs or organization’s mission.◦ Demonstrate links between EE and standards in science, math,

social studies, geography and language arts.

Is environmentally literate. Knows the goals, theory, practice and history of field. Understands and accepts professional responsibilities

associated with delivering EE. Knows how to design and implement effective instruction. Knows how to foster learning, particularly a

climate of inquiry. Possesses knowledge, abilities and commitment to make

assessment and evaluation integral to EE learning process.

A Competent Environmental Educator…

A climate for learning about and exploring the environment.◦ Incorporate first hand experiences.◦ Foster clear and independent thinking.

An inclusive and collaborative learning environment Flexible and responsive instruction

◦ Modify instructional plans and approaches when appropriate.◦ Take advantage of “teachable moments."

Fostering Learning

Is environmentally literate. Knows the goals, theory, practice and history of field. Understands and accepts professional responsibilities

associated with delivering EE. Knows how to design and implement effective instruction. Knows how to foster learning, particularly a climate of inquiry. Possesses knowledge, abilities and commitment

to make assessment and evaluation integral to EE learning process.

A Competent Environmental Educator…

Learner Outcomes Assessment that is part of instruction

◦ Make expectations and program objectives clear.◦ Encourage learners to assess own and others understandings and

skills. Improving Instruction

◦ Use assessments to help modify and improve future programs Evaluating Programs

Assessment and Evaluation

Is environmentally literate. Knows the goals, theory, practice and history of field. Understands and accepts professional responsibilities

associated with delivering EE. Knows how to design and implement effective instruction. Knows how to foster learning, particularly a climate of inquiry. Possesses knowledge, abilities and commitment to make

assessment and evaluation integral to EE learning process.

Questions and Comments

A Competent Environmental Educator…