EDSC 513 - Nature Education & Environmental Literacy (3)

Children today are increasingly indoors, overscheduled, and tied to technology, and many schools have had to cut back on nature education programs in favor of instruction tied to standardized tests. Consequently, fewer students are pursuing careers in environmental science and conservation. However, research has found that when nature education is supported by well-informed, engaged teachers, children develop an “environmental literacy” that greatly benefits them emotionally, creatively, cognitively, and academically. 

In this course, you will develop practical, actionable strategies to connect students with the natural world. You’ll learn the importance and benefits of nature education and explore techniques for teaching environmental literacy to enhance student engagement and performance across disciplines. In addition, you’ll create hands-on, creative activities that will nurture students’ reflection and observation skills as well as their naturalist intelligence (one of Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligences).

Using the methods from this course, you will be equipped to instill in your students an appreciation and love of nature that will have a lasting positive impact in their lives.