Environmental Education (EE) and Experiential Education:A Promising “Marriage” for Greek Pre-School Teachers
ABSTRACT
Kindergarten teachers tend to combine EE and experiential education in their every day practice as a matter of course. The majority perceive EE as related to sensory awareness and exploration and the concomitant will to act in a pro-environmental direction. They deal with and elaborate their pupils experiences in a way that is remi- niscent of Colb’s learning cycle. It is not clear from the interviews whether they effectively facilitate their child- ren’s reflection upon the acquired experience, although there is some evidence that they accompany and assist their pupils in associating their new knowledge to that previously acquired, integrating it into new wholes and appropriating it. They do not give any information about the elaboration of their pupils emotions developed through the experiential educational approaches. They claim that when EE and experiential education are blended together then this can generate active citizens of the future.
Kindergarten teachers tend to combine EE and experiential education in their every day practice as a matter of course. The majority perceive EE as related to sensory awareness and exploration and the concomitant will to act in a pro-environmental direction. They deal with and elaborate their pupils experiences in a way that is remi- niscent of Colb’s learning cycle. It is not clear from the interviews whether they effectively facilitate their child- ren’s reflection upon the acquired experience, although there is some evidence that they accompany and assist their pupils in associating their new knowledge to that previously acquired, integrating it into new wholes and appropriating it. They do not give any information about the elaboration of their pupils emotions developed through the experiential educational approaches. They claim that when EE and experiential education are blended together then this can generate active citizens of the future.
Cite this paper
nullGeorgopoulos, A. , Birbili, M. & Dimitriou, A. (2011). Environmental Education (EE) and Experiential Education:A Promising “Marriage” for Greek Pre-School Teachers. Creative Education, 2, 114-120. doi: 10.4236/ce.2011.22016.
nullGeorgopoulos, A. , Birbili, M. & Dimitriou, A. (2011). Environmental Education (EE) and Experiential Education:A Promising “Marriage” for Greek Pre-School Teachers. Creative Education, 2, 114-120. doi: 10.4236/ce.2011.22016.
References
[1] Adkins, C., & Simmons, B. (2008). Outdoor, experiential, and environmental education: Converging or diverging approaches? Educational Resources Information Center Digest. Retrieved 13 September 2008. http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-2/outdoor.html [2] Barratt Hacking, E., Barratt, R., & Scott, W. (2007). Engaging children: Research issues around participation and environmental learning. Environmental Education Research, 13, 529-544. doi:10.1080/13504620701600271 [3] Basile, C., & White, C. (2000). Environmental literacy: Providing an interdisciplinary context for young children. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 1, 201-208. doi:10.2304/ciec.2000.1.2.7 [4] Beard, C., & Wilson, J. P. (2006). Experiential learning: A best practice handbook for educators and trainers. London: Kogan Page. doi:10.1080/13504620500526529 [5] Bogeholz, S. (2006). Nature experience and its importance for environmental knowledge, values and action: Recent German empirical contributions. Environmental Education Research, 12, 65-84. [6] Boud, D., Keogh, R., & Walker, D. (1985a). What is reflection in learning. In D. Boud, R. Keogh and D. Walker (Eds.), Reflection: Turning experience into learning (pp. 7-18). London: Kogan Page. [7] Boud, D., Keogh, R., & Walker, D. (1985b). Promoting reflection in learning: A model. In D. Boud, R. Keogh and D. Walker (Eds.), Reflection: Turning experience into learning (pp. 18-41). London: Kogan Page. [8] Brody, M. (2005). Learning in nature. Environmental Education Research, 11, 603-621. doi:10.1080/13504620500169809 [9] Carson, R. (1956). The sense of wonder. New York: Harper and Row. [10] Chawla, L. (1998). Significant life experiences revisited: A review of research on sources of environmental sensitivity. Environmental Education Research, 4, 369-383. doi:10.1080/1350462980040402 [11] Chatzifotiou, A. (2005). National policy, local awareness: Implementing environmental education in the primary schools of northern Greece. Environmental Education Research, 11, 503-523. doi:10.1080/13504620500169650 [12] Chawla, L., & Cushing Flanders D. (2007). Education for strategic environmental behavior. Environmental Education Research, 13, 437-452. doi:10.1080/13504620701581539 [13] Corsaro, W. A. (2005). The sociology of childhood. London: Pine Forge Press. [14] Dewey, J. (1938/1998). Experience and education. West Lafayette, Indiana: Kappa Delta Pi. [15] Driskell, D. (2002). Creating better cities with children and youth: A manual for participation. London: Unesco. [16] Dumouchel, D. (2003). Experiential practice: Outdoor, environmental, and adventure education. Retrieved 2 November 2008. http://www.marthalakecov.org/~building/strategies/environmental/dumouchel.htm [17] Falk, J. H. (2005). Free-choice environmental learning: Framing the discussion. Environmental Education Research, 11, 265-280. doi:10.1080/13504620500081129 [18] Fisman, L. (2005). 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Acclimatization: A sensory and conceptual approach to ecological involvement. Martinsville, Indiana: American Camping Association. [49] Wilson, R. A. (1992). The importance of environmental education at the early childhood level. International Journal of Environmental Education and Information, 12, 15-24. [50] Wilson, R. A. (1994). Pairing early childhood education and environmental education. In R. A. Wilson (Ed.), Environmental education at the early childhood level (pp. 5-10). Troy, OH: North American Association for Environmental Education
[1] Adkins, C., & Simmons, B. (2008). Outdoor, experiential, and environmental education: Converging or diverging approaches? Educational Resources Information Center Digest. Retrieved 13 September 2008. http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-2/outdoor.html [2] Barratt Hacking, E., Barratt, R., & Scott, W. (2007). Engaging children: Research issues around participation and environmental learning. Environmental Education Research, 13, 529-544. doi:10.1080/13504620701600271 [3] Basile, C., & White, C. (2000). Environmental literacy: Providing an interdisciplinary context for young children. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 1, 201-208. doi:10.2304/ciec.2000.1.2.7 [4] Beard, C., & Wilson, J. P. (2006). Experiential learning: A best practice handbook for educators and trainers. London: Kogan Page. doi:10.1080/13504620500526529 [5] Bogeholz, S. (2006). Nature experience and its importance for environmental knowledge, values and action: Recent German empirical contributions. Environmental Education Research, 12, 65-84. [6] Boud, D., Keogh, R., & Walker, D. (1985a). What is reflection in learning. In D. Boud, R. Keogh and D. Walker (Eds.), Reflection: Turning experience into learning (pp. 7-18). London: Kogan Page. [7] Boud, D., Keogh, R., & Walker, D. (1985b). Promoting reflection in learning: A model. In D. Boud, R. Keogh and D. Walker (Eds.), Reflection: Turning experience into learning (pp. 18-41). London: Kogan Page. [8] Brody, M. (2005). Learning in nature. Environmental Education Research, 11, 603-621. doi:10.1080/13504620500169809 [9] Carson, R. (1956). The sense of wonder. New York: Harper and Row. [10] Chawla, L. (1998). Significant life experiences revisited: A review of research on sources of environmental sensitivity. Environmental Education Research, 4, 369-383. doi:10.1080/1350462980040402 [11] Chatzifotiou, A. (2005). National policy, local awareness: Implementing environmental education in the primary schools of northern Greece. Environmental Education Research, 11, 503-523. doi:10.1080/13504620500169650 [12] Chawla, L., & Cushing Flanders D. (2007). Education for strategic environmental behavior. Environmental Education Research, 13, 437-452. doi:10.1080/13504620701581539 [13] Corsaro, W. A. (2005). The sociology of childhood. London: Pine Forge Press. [14] Dewey, J. (1938/1998). Experience and education. West Lafayette, Indiana: Kappa Delta Pi. [15] Driskell, D. (2002). Creating better cities with children and youth: A manual for participation. London: Unesco. [16] Dumouchel, D. (2003). Experiential practice: Outdoor, environmental, and adventure education. Retrieved 2 November 2008. http://www.marthalakecov.org/~building/strategies/environmental/dumouchel.htm [17] Falk, J. H. (2005). Free-choice environmental learning: Framing the discussion. Environmental Education Research, 11, 265-280. doi:10.1080/13504620500081129 [18] Fisman, L. (2005). The effects of local learning on environmental awareness in children: An empirical investigation, Journal of Environmental Education, 36, 39-50. doi:10.3200/JOEE.36.3.39-50 [19] Flogaitis, E., & Agelidou, E. (2003). Kindergarten teachers’ conceptions about nature and the environment. Environmental Education Research, 9, 461-478. doi:10.1080/1350462032000126113 [20] Freeman, C., Henderson, P., & Kettle, J. (1999). Planning with children for better communities: The challenge to professionals. Bristol: Policy Press. [21] Giavrimis, P., & Papanis, E. (2009). Greek teacher’s perceptions about “efficient” and “non-efficient” students development of an attribution questionnaire for teachers in north Aegean region, The Journal of International Social Research, 2, 191-199. [22] Hungerford, H. R., & Volk, T. L. (1990). Changing learner behavior through environmental education. Journal of Environmental Education, 21, 8-21. [23] Holtz, R. E. (1994). Rachel Carson: A mentor for early childhood environmental education. In R. A. Wilson (Ed.), Environmental education at the early childhood level. Washington D.C.: North American Association for Environmental Education. [24] Hyun, E. (2005). How is young children’s intellectual culture of perceiving nature different from adults? Environmental Education Research, 11, 199-214. doi:10.1080/1350462042000338360 [25] Gregory, J. (2002). Principles of experiential education. In P. Jarvis (Ed.), The theory & practice of teaching: School and beyond in the learning society (pp. 94-107). New York: Routledge. [26] Kapyula, M., & Wahlstrom, R. (2000). An environmental education training program for teacher trainers in Finland. The Journal of Environmental Education, 31, 31-37. doi:10.1080/00958960009598637 [27] Knapp, D., & Benton, G. M. (2006). Episodic and semantic memories of a residential environmental education program. Environmental Education Research, 12, 165-177. doi:10.1080/13504620600688906 [28] Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: experience as the source of learning and development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. [29] Krogh, S., & Slentz, K. (2001). The early childhood curriculum. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. [30] Law, B. A. (2003). Experiential education as a best practice pedagogy for environmental education in teacher education. Doctoral Disser- tation, Brisbane: Griffith University. Retrieved 20 November 2008. http://www4.gu.edu.au:8080/adt-root/public/adt-QGU20031117.090529/index.html [31] McKenzie, M. (2003). Beyond “the outward bound process”: Rethinking student learning. Journal of Experiential Education, 26, 8-23. [32] Meyer, N. J., & Munson, B. H. (2005). Personalizing and empowering environmental education through expressive writing. Journal of Environmental Education, 36, 6-14. doi:10.3200/JOEE.36.3.6-14 [33] Miller, N., & Boud, D. (1996). Animating learning from experience. In D. Boud and N. Miller (Eds.), Working with experience: Animating learning (pp. 3-13). London: Routledge. [34] Palmer, J. A. (1995). Environmental thinking in the early years: Understanding and misunderstanding of concepts related to waste management. Environmental Education Research, 1, 35-40. doi:10.1080/1350462950010103 [35] Palmer, J. A. (1998). Environmental education in the 21st century: Theory, practice, progress, and promise. New York: Routledge. [36] Palmer J., Suggate J., Bajd B., Tsaliki E., Mati D., Paraskevopoulos S., & Razpet, N. (1999a). Thinking about waste: Children's ideas about waste materials and domestic waste management in the UK, Slovenia and Greece. Environmental Education, 60, 28-30. [37] Palmer J., Suggate J., Bajd B., Tsaliki E., Duraki D., Paraskevopoulos S., Razpet N., & Dimec, D. S. (1999b). Emerging knowledge of distant environments: An international study of four and six years old in England, Slovenia and Greece. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 7, 17-38. doi:10.1080/13502939985208381 [38] Palmer, J. A., Suggate, J., & Matthews, J. (1996). Environmental cognition: Early ideas and misconceptions at the ages of four and six. Environmental Education Research, 2, 301-329. doi:10.1080/1350462960020304 [39] Poudel, D. D., Vincent, L. M., Anzalone, C., Huner, J., Wollard, D., Clement, T., DeRamus, A., & Blakewood, G. (2005). Hands-on activities and challenge tests in agricultural and environmental education. Journal of Environmental Education, 36, 10-22. doi:10.3200/JOEE.36.4.10-22 [40] Priest, S. & Gass, M. (1997). Effective leadership in adventure programming. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. [41] Robottom, I., & Hart, P. (1993). Research in environmental education: Engaging the debate. Geelong, Victoria: Deakin University. [42] Roe, M. (2007). Feeling “secrety”: Children’s views on involvement in landscape decisions. Environmental Education Research, 13, 467- 485. doi:10.1080/13504620701581562 [43] Rogers, C. (1957). Personal thoughts on teaching and learning. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 3, 241-243. [44] Shea, C. M. (2008). NCCAT’s search for a teacher renewal philosophy: An historical account. In A. G. Rud (Jr) and W. P. Oldendorf (Eds.), A place for teacher renewal: Challenging the intellect, creating educational reform (pp. 1-24). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing. [45] Sterling, S. (2001). Sustainable education: Re-visioning learning and change. Totnes: Green Books. [46] Tanner, Τ. (1980). Significant life experiences: A new research area in environmental education. Journal of Environmental Education, 11, 20-24. doi:10.1080/00958964.1980.9941386 [47] Townsend, E. (1998). Good intentions overruled: A critique of empowerment in the routine organization of mental health services. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. [48] Van Matre, S. (1972). Acclimatization: A sensory and conceptual approach to ecological involvement. Martinsville, Indiana: American Camping Association. [49] Wilson, R. A. (1992). The importance of environmental education at the early childhood level. International Journal of Environmental Education and Information, 12, 15-24. [50] Wilson, R. A. (1994). Pairing early childhood education and environmental education. In R. A. Wilson (Ed.), Environmental education at the early childhood level (pp. 5-10). Troy, OH: North American Association for Environmental Education