Environmental education in a ‘green classroom’

The ‘Green Classroom’ in the Botanical Garden of Ulm is an experiential learning forum outside school. Its educational concept is based on experimental learning and is geared towards expanding biological knowledge and developing positive attitudes towards small animals such as invertebrates and inse...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Resonance 2011-02, Vol.16 (2), p.180-187
Main Authors: Drissner, Jürgen, Haase, Hans-Martin, Nikolajek, Mara, Hille, Katrin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Classroom
Education
Humanities and Social Sciences
multidisciplinary
Science
Science Education
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Summary:The ‘Green Classroom’ in the Botanical Garden of Ulm is an experiential learning forum outside school. Its educational concept is based on experimental learning and is geared towards expanding biological knowledge and developing positive attitudes towards small animals such as invertebrates and insects. The attitudes of 68 school students towards small animals, before and after they visited the ‘Green Classroom’, were assessed and the answers they gave in their questionnaires were compared with those of 60 students froma control group that was not yet exposed to this learning environment. Although the students spent only one morning in the ‘Green Classroom’, some of their attitudes towards small animals improved after their visit. These studies underscore the necessity for direct observation and familiarization of the environment including small animals such as invertebrates and insects for appreciating issues related to biodiversity and conservation.
ISSN:0971-8044
0973-712X
DOI:10.1007/s12045-011-0023-2