A model for an environmentally directed teaching approach

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop and test a model which could be used to interpret and assist teaching in an environmentally directed way. Its principal aim was to establish the extent to which elements from a variety of paradigms and teaching methods could be used simultaneously when teaching in an environmentally directed way, depending on the topic and the context within which is taught. An in-depth literature review on theoretical perspectives on environmental education, paradigms relating to environmental education and teaching methods appropriate for environmental education indicated that these partially addressed the problem of the study, namely to determine how elements from a variety of paradigms and teaching methods could be used simultaneously to teach in an environmentally directed way.The theory developed from the literature review facilitated the development of the model mentioned above. An amoeba was used as a metaphor to develop a model which can help facilitate the process of teaching in an environmentally directed way. In developing the model, some examples of influential paradigms and teaching methods were used. None of the examples used for the study converged. Each contributed to the research in its own way. Some teaching methods showed common features of conversion and also addressed the problem of the study in their own ways. The amoeba model was developed from this theory. Qualitative research was further conducted to test the amoeba model. People who are knowledgeable in environmental education were selected to participate in the research. It emerged, from the findings of the research, that the amoeba model concurs positively with the hypothesis that no specific paradigm and teaching method(s) could be regarded as exclusively ideal for teaching in an environmentally directed way. Elements from a variety of paradigms and teaching methods could be used simultaneously for teaching in an environmentally directed way, depending on the topic and the context within which a topic is taught. The amoeba model thus serves as a solution to the problem of the study. Respondents further suggested that the amoeba model should be adopted for use in the South African education system. That is, the thesis should be put in the form of a workbook and teachers should be trained to teach in an environmentally directed way by using this model.