Abstract:

I share results from a two-year study of a required capstone course for future K-5 teachers focused on nature and the environment, designed to promote greater environmental awareness and ecological literacy. The primary research objective was to determine the greatest impacts of the capstone as identified by university students studying to be elementary grades teachers. Data from students’ verbal and written reflections focused on three main areas: the course overall, an immersion abroad component of the course (Costa Rica), and course impacts on students a year later while in their student teaching placements. Findings reveal that many of the components of ecological literacy, including understandings, dispositions, and behaviors emerged in various ways in students’ course reflections. A content analysis of the students’ final course reflections showed that they were impacted in three main ways, all of which intersected, where the main categories of themes that emerged were:
1) Greater knowledge and awareness of ecological issues or ecoliteracy, and a desire to teach what they had learned to their future students;
2) Affective changes and relationships, with self, others, nature, and the Earth–a growing biophilia and social emotional intelligence;
3) Behavioral impacts and a sense of agency, which included inspiration and awareness of one’s ability to make a difference in the world and to promote social justice, as well as to reflect on one’s actions.

Students also reflected on this study abroad experience and identified the following themes as salient: the power of teaching through storytelling, resilience and wisdom through hardship, accountability, depth of learning, the value of simplicity, the importance of peace, respect for all life, and ecological awareness. Primary findings from student teachers identified a desire to bring their students into greater contact with nature, to prioritize nature-based learning, and to help their young students to develop their own biophilic consciousness. Findings show that a budding biophilia among future teachers served as a powerful pathway to greater awareness, caring, and action in the area of ecoliteracy, all of which can help to heal deep wounds in people and planet.

Keywords:

Teacher preparation, earth education, ecological literacy, biophilic consciousness.