European Geologist Journal 50

Geoscience education through environmental ICT storytelling in primary education across Europe

 

by N. Evelpidou, D. Pontikou, A. Komi, G. Saitis, K. Giannikopoulou, M-A. Gatou, A. Petropoulos

Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15774, Athens, Greece

Contact: evelpidou@geol.uoa.gr

Abstract

Raising awareness for sustainable development and environmental consciousness is an alternative teaching approach of geosciences in primary education. Through our methodology this is achieved by strengthening teachers’ profile to effectively coach students to work on several environmental issues. By creating a teacher’s guideline handbook, in accordance with the educational targets and regulations of EU countries, teachers acquire a fresh perspective on teaching environmental sciences. They also gain scientific knowledge in five educational topics through the implementation of five mini-projects. An e-book enriched with the pupils’ digitalised environmental stories was designed to attract students and motivate them to engage environmental issues. The final product acts as a triggering factor for the much-needed environmental awareness of pupils around Europe.

Cite as: Evelpidou, N., Pontikou, D., Komi, A., Saitis, G., Giannikopoulou, K., Gatou, M-A., & Petropoulos, A. (2020). Geoscience education through environmental ICT storytelling in primary education across Europe. European Geologist, 50. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4311409

Introduction

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the vision for sustainable development has undoubtedly laid its foundations in education. A natural consequence has been the integration of the concept of sustainability into the national curriculum of most European countries. Studying the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) reveals the strong links tying geosciences and natural environment with sustainability (energy, climate change, biodiversity, geophysical hazards, hydrogeology, etc.) (Gill, 2016). Taking this under consideration, educating students on issues related to the environment and geosciences is deemed more necessary now than ever before.

Τraining on the subject of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) has been absent from the curriculum in primary education (Ham & Sewing, 1988) and remains so even today (Kadji-Beltran et al., 2013). Furthermore, it is observed that teachers misunderstand environmental issues, or lack accurate knowledge on them (Francek, 2013). As a result, teachers have difficulties, do not feel confident, and even avoid the implementation of similar programmes (Ham & Sewing, 1988). According to Kadji-Beltran et al. (2013), the way in which teachers will approach the learning process is just as important as the content of teaching. For all of these reasons, teachers’ education in natural environment and geosciences is a vital priority (Ham & Sewing, 1988; Kadji-Beltran et al., 2013).

Through the Erasmus+ KA201 project “Environmental Stories for Sustainable Development – EnvStories” our goal is strengthening teachers’ profile so that they can effectively coach students to deal with several environmental-geosciences issues. The first step into achieving this goal was the design of the teacher’s guideline handbook. The handbook includes methodological tools and teaching approaches proposed for the implementation of ESD programmes, as well as the scientific background for five environmental topics, accompanied by five proposed projects to be implemented. The second step was the implementation of a one-week training school. Teachers and students participated in organised training activities to gain real-world experience and raise their environmental awareness.

In the modern world, in order for anyone to keep up with the technological advancements and the ever-evolving digital tools, basic knowledge and ability to handle technology and its applications is a mandatory minimum skill (Lim & Oakley, 2013). The benefits of utilising Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) in primary education have been studied thoroughly and are generally acknowledged (Lim & Oakley, 2013).

By utilising ICT in the educational process, students are provided with access in a variety of different sources of information and educational material (Smeets, 2005). ICT also appear to act as a motivation factor for learning, especially for less capable students (Venezky & Mulkeen, 2002). Additionally, ICT can contribute to the better understanding of complex concepts and processes with the use of explanatory multimedia material and simulation software, it can facilitate collective work among the students, and it can act as a tool for them to test their own knowledge (Smeets, 2005). There is also the possibility of easily providing personalised educational material which can be proved extremely useful, particularly in special education. Finally, ICT seems to serve effectively active learning theories that support “experiential learning” instead of a “teaching” method. In such a case the role of the teacher is to merely guide the pupils and provide them with the proper tools that will enable them to learn on their own. The concept of innovative use of ICT has become prominent in educational practices during the last years. It refers to the creative and unconventional use of whatever ICT equipment is available in order to supplement the learning experience in the classroom or outside of it (as e-learning or extra-curricular activities) (Venezky & Mulkeen, 2002).

Within the framework of the EnvStories project 20 e-books were developed by the pupils through the EnvStories online platform. Fueled by the offered training material and the guidance of their teachers, the students created interactive stories related to prominent environmental problems with their respective solutions. These stories are presented in the e-books.

Methodology

Handbook

Educational purpose

Within the framework of the EnvStories project, an experiential approach was chosen for the five environmental topics included in the teachers’ handbook. This approach results from the combined application of the Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences (ΜΙ) in the educational process and of the Kolb’s learning theory (Figure 1, Table 1). According to the MI theory, all people have at least 7 different types of intelligence equally important, but not equally developed (Table 2). People learn by utilising these different types of intelligence (Gardner & Hatch, 1989; Griggs, et al., 2009).


Figure 1: Kolb’s learning theory. 


The utilisation of MI theory in our programme resulted in the development of the term “EnvironmentART education”. This term includes all art forms (visual arts, movement, literature, photography and theatre-music-video). With this term, it is suggested that forms of art may be used by the teacher himself/herself as a tool for the presentation of each topic. It is also proposed that they can constitute a powerful tool for the students, as forms of art may act as the vehicle for new ways for approach, expression and presentation of any environmental topic.According to McFarlane (2011), the MI theory is based not only on acceptance, but also on understanding the value of diversity, making this one of the most effective teaching methodologies of the 21st century. The teacher, under the assumption that a different learning style is appropriate for each student, has the opportunity to prepare his/her teaching in a way that equal opportunities to students are provided, resulting in school success (Griggs et al., 2009; Pritchard, 2009). Students who are taught to approach the learning process more efficiently, discovering their strengths at the same time, enjoy similar benefits (Griggs et al., 2009).


Table 1: Types of people, characteristics and learning tools, according to the four stages of Kolb’s experiential learning cycle.


The teacher’s guide, apart from the pedagogical approach, includes all the scientific background necessary for the full understanding of the five topics under study. Additionally, considering the 17 goals of sustainable development as well as the goals of the curriculum of the participating countries, 5 projects were designed with the respective worksheets. These projects are available to be used by any primary school teacher who wishes to implement an ESD programme at their school.


Table 2: The different types of intelligence according to Gardner, their characteristics and teaching tools.


Scientific purpose

The main aim of our novel teaching approach of geosciences in primary education is to cultivate the spirit of environmental consciousness and sustainable development among children of young age. This approach will lead to environmentally conscious citizens who will handle the environment with respect, not contributing to its constant degradation. Through consulting this handbook and implementing it into the teaching process, teachers will acquire a proper background – both educational and scientific – in five modern environmental topics that they are very likely to encounter in their countries. More specifically, the examined topics are (a) waste management and recycling, (b) natural environment, (c) health and environment, (d) geophysical hazards and (e) natural resources.

In the scientific part of the developed handbook, the aim was to simplify and highlight basic terms that describe each topic, as well as to point out their main effects in human societies and the ecosystems. Basic environmental problems were also presented, alongside with respective response measures, utilising diagrams, colourful pictures and text boxes. The first topic analysed in the handbook is that of “waste management and recycling”, which describes the waste management hierarchy and modern waste management techniques, such as recycling, composting, development of landfills and combustion with energy recovery. Secondly, within the framework of the topic “natural environment”, terms such as atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, biosphere, flora and fauna are presented and explained. In addition, the water cycle and biodiversity and its preventive measurements are examined. The third topic addressed in the handbook is that of “health and environment”. In this chapter air, soil pollution and water pollution are described and important factors contributing to them are listed, in order for the teachers to gain a broader view of the different pollution categories and the various measures that, if applied by the young generation, will lead in the long run to the mitigation of phenomena such as the greenhouse effect and ozone layer weakening. The fourth chapter, “geophysical hazards”, includes earthquakes (mechanism, pre- and post-earthquake phenomena and things people must do during and after an earthquake), volcanoes (formation and location, main parts and types), floods (possible causes, effects, things people have to do in case of a flood and preventive measurements), wildfires (types, causes and preventive measurements), landslides (causes, impacts and preventive measurements) and coastal erosion (causes, location of its occurrence and preventive measurements). Lastly, within the framework of the topic “natural resources”, the term of natural resources depletion is highlighted and explained, as well as water management practices and soil degradation preventive measures, as human societies rely heavily both on water and territorial resources to develop. The difference between renewable and non-renewable energy sources is also explained, and finally, alternative forms of energy are presented (nuclear and hydrogen combustion).

Training activities

Interactive activities play a significant part in the proposed teaching approach, especially those that take place outdoors. Through those activities, pupils are trained to become more familiar with the geo-environment and geosciences. This way environmental education becomes more meaningful and memorable, enhanced by real-world experiences, rather than being limited by the simple attendance of an instructional programme inside a classroom. In accordance with our methodology, a one-week educational training school was organised in Athens, Greece. All participants – pupils and teachers – had the opportunity to search for ideas and solutions regarding the five environmental issues explored in the teacher’s handbook. Various activities were carried out in places of environmental and cultural importance, where the “learning by doing” method was applied. The organised activities are part of the teaching methodology and teachers are encouraged to apply this approach to other environmental subjects.


Figure 2: Outdoor activities. 


During outdoor activities, pupils had the time to explore and observe in order to focus on the issues that might be a point of concern for them or the environment (Figure 2). Part of the outdoors activities was the demonstration of issues related to educational objectives such as geology, physical geography, the water cycle, recycling and waste disposal, fossil fuels as non-renewable energy sources and even astronomy in a creative educational way that provides an opportunity for learning in a more entertaining approach. Furthermore, pupils were assigned by the training school instructors to work in groups of 5 to complete learning activities, share ideas and discuss their experiences during the field trip. The multimedia material (images, videos, sounds) gathered by the pupils and their teachers were used for their digital stories (e-books). Pupils were instructed to express their experiences from the training school through any of the art forms (Figure 3) Their imagination and creativity led the pupils to fulfil the assignment in the forms of song writing, paintings and photographs, always supported by their teachers.


Figure 3: EnvironmentART activities. 


EnvStories platform and e-book

During the EnvStories project, 20 different e-books were developed by students, presenting interactive stories related to environmental problems with effective solutions. Teachers assisted pupils to develop these stories using the project’s handbook and an online platform for the co-creation of interactive stories (in the form of e-books). Pupils worked collaboratively using the platform in order to produce stories that communicate complex concepts to others, structuring information and data in meaningful and useful ways (storytelling) (Figure 4).


Figure 4: EnvStories e-book creation. 


The content of the e-books is specifically defined and relevant to the training topics developed during the project and provides substantial information to pupils. Digital material relevant to the environmental problems and possible solutions was designed and offered for free through the platform to support students’ work. Each school was assigned different subjects relevant to local problems. Through activities carried out in places of environmental interest, the participants had the opportunity to make realistic proposals in their stories (e-books) for the protection and conservation of those areas, which could be possible if implemented by many citizens. In this regard, the conservation of each area’s environment as well as the promotion of the natural and cultural heritage will let us move towards sustainable development of each region in terms of environment, economy and society. The pupils’ stories in the form of interactive e-books and the teacher’s guide will become publicly available at the end of the project.

Results and discussion

The need for an open-minded approach and flexibility in the way of teaching that arises from the use of the MI theory are main demands in education (McFarlane, 2011). In addition, the multitude of ways to approach students through the MI theory constitutes a new challenge for many teachers (Griggs, et al., 2009). The application of these new methods resulted in the successful coverage of a larger percentage of the objectives of the curriculum. This was achieved also by students who could not follow the traditional teaching. Students discovered more about their potential and their limitations as performance anxiety receded. They better understood the value of diversity and learned to work together for a common cause. Reflecting on their experiences, they cultivated their critical ability, perceived the human-environment relationship from a new angle, and acquired a willingness to take an active part in resolving environmental issues.

During the training school, pupils were requested to fill in evaluation sheets, one for each day of the training school. The purpose of this evaluation was to identify how activities that took place during the training school affected the pupils. Most of the participants pointed to the main characteristics of each activity from which they gained additional knowledge and experience by doing the indicted activities. Pupils got involved in numerous activities, learning each day something new and useful, not only for the purposes of the project but for their everyday life, as they were educated on general science issues. It was an indisputable fact that through the activities, pupils raised their will to learn more about what triggered the most their curiosity. Finally, the experiential approach of the training school motivated the pupils to participate actively not only on their own, but also in groups, in order to collaborate and share experiences and their cultural background.

Pupils used their imagination to create realistic proposals in their stories (e-books) for the protection and conservation of those areas that have the potential to be implemented by many citizens. Finally, the e-books constitute a powerful tool which serves as an inspiration to even more pupils about learning for the sustainable environment.

Acknowledgement

This work was implemented in the scope of the ERASMUS+ KA201 project “Environmental Storytelling for Sustainable Development, EnvStories” and it is co-funded by the European Commission.


References

Francek, M. (2013). A Compilation and Review of over 500 Geoscience Misconceptions. International Journal of Science Education, 35(1), 31-64. DOI: 10.1080/09500693.2012.736644

Gardner, H., & Hatch, T. (1989). Educational Implications of the Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Educational Researcher. 18(8), 4-10. DOI: 10.3102/0013189X018008004

Gill, C.J. (2016). Geology and the Sustainable Development Goals. Journal of International Geoscience, 40(1), 70-76. DOI: /10.18814/epiiugs/2017/v40i1/017010

Griggs, L., Barney, S., Brown-Sederberg, J., Collins, E., Keith, S., & Iannacci, L. (2009). Varying pedagogy to address student multiple intelligences. Human Architecture, 7(1), 55-60

Ham, S.H., & Sewing, D. (1988). Barriers to environmental education. The Journal of Environmental Education, 19(2), 17-24. DOI: 10.1080/00958964.1988.9942751


This article has been published in European Geologist Journal 50 – Let’s become geologists! Challenges and opportunities in geoscience education in Europe

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