Darkhor, Patrick

China's strategy towards environmental governance: an examination of the interaction between pedagogy and practice of environmental education in creating and achieving objectives for sustainable development.

Toronto, ON

2005

Toronto, University, Ph. D., 2005

0494076208

9780494076200

This thesis involves a case-study methodology that explores programs and initiatives undertaken in the fields of environmental education focusing on the elementary and middle school curriculum and teacher education programs in China. The major objectives of this research are (1) to study the status of environmental education in Chinese elementary and middle schools; (2) to study the commonalities in approaches to environmental education and education for sustainable development in the existing curriculum; and (3) to study the lived challenges of implementing environmental education in today's schools in China. The study will address the following question: How can elementary and middle schools integrate environmental education objectives into their existing school programs without radical curricula changes? The thesis suggests that environmental education programs can be combined naturally with a school curriculum by identifying points of overlap between existing curricula and environmental education goals to facilitate natural, unforced integration of these programs. I have investigated these programs and initiatives concomitantly with the proposals for curriculum reform developed in China. This investigation includes an in-depth examination of the impact of such programs on students, teacher education programs, school systems and local communities. Qualitative data was collected and used to describe the evolution of environmental education programs within schools in the country scrutinized in this study. Research was also conducted on the etiology, nature and potential of any program developed by Chinese school systems for the purpose of integrating environmental education within the teacher education programs and consequently within the regular classroom curriculum.

abstract

dedcication
acknowledgements
table of contens
list of figures
list of tables
lis of appendices
acronyms and abbreviations

1. introduction

rationale for the study
questions guiding for the study
thesis organization

2. literature review

limitations of literature review
school`s involvement in environmental education
curriculum reform
agenda 21 in China
China`s performance
promation of broad public awareness: China`s progress?
environmental education and teacher
training programs

3. research design and methodolgy

research objectives
qualitative inquiry: Holistic in approach
qualitative inquiry: Vivid in description
thesis design and methodology
research questions
areas for the research questions
limitations of the study: Learning from SARS
researching another culture

4. understanding pedagogy: A personal view of education

geometry of nature
education and hidden curriculum
global curriculum
why i believe in a global curriculum

5. the context of China

country background
history of China: A Summary
research location - Shenyang

6. the role of education in environmental sustainability

environmental sustainability

7. global education for the planet: Ideas and perspectives

parable of the blind men and the elephant
ideas and perspectives
global education: A new way of teaching and learning
what are the benefits of teaching global education?
A critic`s argument
globalization versus global education

8. understanding sustainable development

ecological distress
diversity of life
five kingdoms
call for sustainable development through education

9. research findings

teacher training initivates taken toward environmental education
teacher`s stories
recyling programs
saving water
A step foward
challenges facing schools
impact of enviornmental education on students
differences and similarities
implications of practice
implications of environmental education in schools
implications for teacher education programs
lessons learned

conclusion

biolography

appendices

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