Module 15

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Activities

OHTs

Readings

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Taking Action for the Coastal
and Marine Environment

Introduction

Objectives

Workshop Outline

Materials Required

Further Reading

Introduction

This module presents a sequence of activities designed to consider the role of action based programs in coastal and marine studies and to consider a range of strategies for conducting an action based project within the school framework. It seeks to address the following topics:

• the place for action based programs in the school curriculum
• the opportunities for action programs to address coastal and marine issues
• the implementation of a edu - action project within a school

Objectives

The objectives for this workshop are

• to explain the objectives of action based education projects
• to provide a curriculum framework for the implementation of action based learning
• to identify a range of coastal and marine issues
• to identify opportunities for student action based programs to address issues in the coastal and marine environment
• to consider opportunities and strategies for students to participate in a community based action project

Workshop Outline

There are five activities in this workshop:


Activity 1. Introduction
This activity is called “Marine and Coastal Environments in Jeopardy” and is based on a popular TV show. The object of the game is to identify a range of issues affecting the coast and some potential solutions to these problems. Participants are then introduced to the workshop themes and objectives.


Activity 2. Action Based Learning.
In this activity participants are invited to consider the benefits of action based learning for both the school curricula and the coastal and marine environment. Evidence for the long term benefits of action based learning for coastal and marine environments is also presented.


Activity 3. Action Based Learning in the Curriculum.
The inquiry approach to learning is revisited and consideration is given to the place for action based learning for the coastal and marine environment in the curriculum for Studies of Society and Environment.


Activity 4. Opportunities for Action Based Learning in the Coastal and Marine Environment
Participants will consider a range of issues affecting the coastal and marine environment and the opportunities to address these issues through some type of action. A process for evaluating a range of action based projects to address an issue will be explained and used.

Participants will engage in an activity using an example of a coastal or marine issue to consider how students could develop an action strategy to address the issue. Consideration will also be given to students becoming involved in seeking support for action based learning projects.

Materials Required

A. Provided

Overhead Transparencies

OHT 1 Purpose of “Nature and Coast and Marine Studies”
OHT 2 Definitions for Edu - Action. Programs for action based learning
OHT 3 Models of development for environmentally responsible citizenship.
OHT 4 Behaviour Flow Chart: Major and Minor Variables Involved in
Environmental Citizenship Behaviour
OHT 5 Summary of main points raised by Hungerford and Volk.
OHT 6 A Five Step Process for Exploring Issues
OHT 7 SOSE Outcome Statements

 

Resources

Resource 1 Marine and Coastal Environments in Jeopardy
Resource 2 Strategies for teaching Coasts and Marine studies.
Resource 3 Issues and Action Strategy Cards.
Resource 4 Problems and Solutions Page
Resource 5 Teacher Guide to Setting Up an Edu - Action Project
Resource 6 Sample Decision Making Matrix
Resource 7 Edu-action Project Goals
Resource 8 Threats to coastal and marine environments

 

Readings

Reading 1 The Role of Edu-action programs in Changing Learner Behaviours
Reading 2 Changing Learner Behaviour Through Environmental Education
Reading 3 Finding The Funds -A Students’ Guide To Writing A Grant Application

 

Further Reading

Chesapeake Choices and Challenges (1995) Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Hungerford, H.R. and Volk, T.L. (1991) Changing learner behaviour through environmental education, Journal of Environmental Education, 22, p 8 - 17.