Environmental education and training using inquiry-based learning

Šuligoj, Veronika (author), Avsec, Stanislav (author)

Inquiry-based learning (IBL) as inductive teaching method has originated in late 1960's. IBL is student centred learning process where teacher is only a mentor / instructor and offers help when is needed. Individuals actively construct their knowledge by solving real and authentic problems and searching appropriate information. Students build their knowledge on the base of their prior knowledge using critical thinking, reasoning and problem solving skills. The role of teacher is very important at giving correct feedback. Project STRENGTH focuses on different green competence areas where acquiring of green competences considers knowledge, skills and wider competences. This paper is focused on environmental, health and safety area with a central impact of environmental education. In Primary and Secondary education students familiarize with green competences, but to a lesser extent. Project Chain Reaction makes effort to promote and to exploit IBL method to science and technology including teaching green topics. Since 2013 Faculty of Education at University of Ljubljana organizes teaching and learning of green subject matter designed for a three-day activity open learning course. Courses are aimed for learning of environmental protection and of renewable energy sources. Students were tasked with one of the following topics, namely: water turbine optimization, green heating, plants in space and smart electric car. The sample of study consists of 250 eighth- and ninth-grade students. IBL was guided by modified 5E learning cycle model, where students' satisfaction with IBL was assessed when learning was accomplished.

• Language: English
• Keywords: učenje z raziskovanjem, tehnološki dnevi, kompetence
• Typology: 1.08 - Published Scientific Conference Contribution
• Organization: PEF - Faculty of Education
• Year: 2015
• Number of pages: Str. 118-135
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-80100
• UDC: 37.091.31:50
• COBISS.SI-ID: 10835529
• Publication date in RUL: 19.01.2016