Journal article

Publication year: 2009

Pages: 17-37

Journal: Environmental Education Research

Volume number: 15

Issue number: 1

ISSN: 1350-4622

eISSN: 1469-5871

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/13504620802613496

Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group

Abstract: 
In this article, we present results from an international research study on biodiversity education in pre-service education of primary school teachers. The study was carried out between 2004-2006 in four teacher education institutions in Cyprus, England, Switzerland and Germany. We used document analyses and indepth interviews with 27 teacher educators and 22 student teachers to examine the integration of biodiversity into the pre-service teacher education programmes, and the student teachers' satisfaction with their respective education. In all teacher education institutions, aspects of biodiversity education were integrated mostly in the natural science modules which provided students at least with some information on the scientific aspects of biodiversity. Few modules included aspects of the controversial nature of biodiversity conservation in relation to economics, ethics, social and political concerns, and methodological approaches on how to deal with this. In the institutions in Cyprus, England and Germany the teaching focus was content-oriented, whereas in Switzerland a situated method-oriented approach was used. The student teachers in Switzerland felt more confident to teach about biodiversity in school. All interviewees thought it necessary to prepare primary school student teachers on how to address biodiversity in schools, and strategies on how best to achieve this are critically discussed.

Harvard Citation style: Lindemann-Matthies, P., Constantinou, C., Junge, X., Koehler, K., Mayer, J., Nagel, U., et al. (2009) The integration of biodiversity education in the initial education of primary school teachers: four comparative case studies from Europe, Environmental Education Research, 15(1), pp. 17-37. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504620802613496

APA Citation style: Lindemann-Matthies, P., Constantinou, C., Junge, X., Koehler, K., Mayer, J., Nagel, U., Raper, G., Schuele, D., & Kadji-Beltran, C. (2009). The integration of biodiversity education in the initial education of primary school teachers: four comparative case studies from Europe. Environmental Education Research. 15(1), 17-37. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504620802613496