University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point - Improving pre-service education in environmental education

Teaching Context:

Timeframe: Semester

Audience: Pre-service teachers

Abstract:

Institution: University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Author:

Becca Franzen

Current Status of Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Preparation:

Pre-service teachers (early childhood education, elementary education, special education, and secondary science and social science) are required to take a three-credit course entitled “Introduction to Environmental Study and Environmental Education.” It is one-third environmental studies content and two-thirds environmental education teaching methods.

Evidence of Need:

Students typically have not heard of the ELS standards prior to this class (and are often not sure how to use any standards). Additionally, students are vaguely familiar with inquiry.

Evidence of Success:

Students will demonstrate inquiry-based learning in their peer teaching. Inquiry-based learning and the ELS standards will also be clearly integrated in their lesson plan.

Action plan to revise, improve, or integrate inquiry-based environmental education: 

Class meeting #1:

Step 1: Instructor will model environmental education activity (synchronous online or face-to-face) with undergraduate students as the learner.

Step 2: Unpack the activity, noting the characteristics of inquiry-based learning. Consider capturing student ideas on a virtual or actual whiteboard.

Step 3: In small groups, all students will review the same lesson (for example, a Project Learning Tree or Project WILD activity). The group will then discuss and create a slide that suggests how they might use inquiry-based learning strategies for the particular lesson. They will report out their responses to the full class.

Class meeting #2:

Step 1: In small groups, students will explore the standards and identify how the Wisconsin Standards for Environmental Literacy and Sustainability link to their own future teaching/content area. They will discuss: I noticed, I wonder, This reminds me of, I think maybe...

Step 2: After some full class debriefing, the instructor will provide an overview of the standards.

Step 3: After being reminded of the model activity from the previous class meeting, students (in the same groups) will identify and justify potential performance indicators that could be connected to the activity. Small groups will be prepared to share out their ideas with the full class.

Step 4: As a full class, students will link the PLT/WILD activity from the previous week to the ELS standards.

Class meeting #3:

Step 1: Students will be asked to bring an example lesson plan to class, from our exploration of curriculum resources “visit” to the library. 

Step 2: In small groups, students will discuss similarities and differences of the lesson plans. Specifically, students will consider how inquiry and the standards are/could be integrated in the lesson plan.

Step 3: After debriefing the small group activity, students will have time to begin to develop their own lesson plans (which is linked to a larger Environmental Issues Assignment for this specific course). 

Step 4: In small groups, students will discuss how their own lesson addresses the standards and incorporates inquiry-based learning.

In what ways will you address Wisconsin Standards for Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Standards Addressed?

Students will become familiar with the full standards document through individual review, an instructor-led overview, discussion, and use.

Consider the following items and incorporate those that are appropriate to address the actions above:

• A syllabus or course outline that integrates environmental education

• Lesson plans and assessments;

• Steps to implement and evaluate their plan;

• Networks and resources available to help implement their plan;

• Potential grants and funding sources;

• Local and statewide resources;

• Local outdoor learning sites;

• Professional development resources; and

• Policies that reinforce and support plan implementation.