Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2022 - REM 452 D300

Environmental Education (8)

Class Number: 2540

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Instructor:

    David Zandvliet
    dbz@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-5680

  • Prerequisites:

    90 units or permission of instructor. Students may be required to successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines the educational problems entailed in developing human awareness and understanding of the environment. Explores environmental issues through a multi-disciplinary approach and relates historical and contemporary problems in human-environment interactions to school curricula from the elementary to the secondary level. Includes a laboratory component. Grading will be on a pass/fail basis. A field activity fee will be levied in this course. Normally offered in summer term only. Students with credit for EDUC 452, EDUC 454 or ENV 452 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course will examine the educational problems entailed in developing human awareness and understanding of the environment. The course will explore environmental issues through a multidisciplinary approach and will relate historical and contemporary issues in human-environment interactions to school curricula from the elementary to the secondary level.

 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

In this course students will:

  • develop appropriate models and methods for the learning and teaching of Environmental Education (EE) in both formal and informal educational settings.
  • critically evaluate available Environmental Education (EE) instructional materials and resources from a variety of sources including web, video and print based materials.
  • compare and contrast the Integrated Resource Packages (IRPs) and Resource guidelines published by the Ministry of Education with other internationally published EE guidelines.
  • consider a variety of perspectives in the interpretation of Environmental Education (EE) including regulatory, socio-economic, legalistic, aesthetic and scientific frameworks.

Grading

NOTES:

Students will complete the following course assignments and will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis.

Assignment List

Nature Journals – Notes/ideas/resources/contacts, reflective writing, notes on shared readings, nature sketches, poetry etc. goes here.  Cummulative/daily (use as a database for your portfolio).

Journal Reading and Reporting – A series of selected readings will be assigned.  The presentation will be in groups and in a format that will inform others in the class. 

‘Spice of life’ Inquiry – Collaborative inquiry and presentation.

Volunteer Project: reflection / sharing of your ‘community based’ volunteer experience. You may wish to include a piece on this experience as part of your portfolio: This assignment ladders into a (self) directed study as part of EDUC 493 (Directed studies in EE). 

EE in the Popular Press  - Self-directed Study Paper (see separate handout). This written assignment will direct you to write an informed opinion piece about a current EE issue.

Resource Sharing and Evaluation – You will select an EE resource to evaluate from those available on the web. You summarise and share this resource with the class.

Environmental Education Portfolio.*  During the last module of the course (in the form of a retreat), you will share artifacts, ideas, writings and lessons using a portfolio of your own design, to demonstrate learning and connections made between conceptual frameworks for Environmental Education and your own developing practice. Presentation due at final retreat on or before July 22nd 

REQUIREMENTS:

Students will complete the following course assignments and will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis:

  • Attend an information session prior to the course start date (ask an advisor for details)
  • Develop and present \ plans for the educational use of EE resources
  • Prepare a written evaluation of an EE educational resource available in print or on the WWW
  • Develop a strategy for Environmental Education at the classroom, school or district level
  • Participate in a volunteer experience project with a local or community-based group
  • Prepare a portfolio of their own design that may include aspects of all of the above plus demonstrates a mastery of concepts and experiences component to the course

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Readings will be provided from a variety government, on-line sources and current education journals. There will be no textbook (the community is our textbook), however students should also budget a small amount for photocopying.

 

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SUMMER 2022

Teaching at SFU in summer 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction.  Some courses may be offered through alternative methods (remote, online, blended), and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes. 

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote, online, or blended courses study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the summer 2022 term.