Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students the basic scientific and methodological tools for teaching/learning Biology in the school context and for the elaboration/implementation of Environmental Education activities oriented towards sustainability.
At the end of the training activity students should have acquired basic knowledge and skills necessary to develop autonomously educational disciplinary activities of Biology and interdisciplinary activities of Environmental Education oriented towards sustainability in different school and extra-school contexts.
At the end of the course, in particular, the student should be able to:
D1. Knowledge and understanding
To know the fundamental functions of living beings and their interactions at increasing levels of complexity. To know the relationships between organisms and the environment, between organisms at different levels of the biological organization and to know the concept of sustainability (environmental, social and economical). To know the emerging properties of populations, communities and ecosystems. To know and understand the professional and ethical responsibilities of a teacher/educator.
To know the teaching methods and the techniques usefull to promote the transfer/construction of knowledge in teaching/learning contexts.
D2. Applying knowledge and understanding
To use the specific language of education and teaching. To apply the main techniques of biological and ecological analysis at an educational level. To understand in English the topics related to the teaching of Biology and to Environmental Education oriented towards sustainability.
D3. Making judgments
To evaluate and interpret experimental data. To critically use data from scientific literature. To evaluate the experimental methodologies that allow the optimal resolution of a biological/ecological problem. To evaluate the professional and ethical responsibilities of a teacher/educator. To evaluate teaching, to be a reflective teacher/educator who is able both to self-assess its own skills and to evaluate students’ skills and competences.
D4. Communication
To communicate to and to discuss with students of different school levels and to an untrained public, also using Information Technologies tools, the biological/environmental data.
D5. Lifelong learning skills
To link the different topics dealt with each other on a scientific and methodological level. To update the own knowledge and skills through the consultation of bibliographic material and databases for the teaching of Biology and Environmental Education oriented towards sustainability and through the attendance at seminars, study days or training courses. To acquire a methodology of study that allows to integrate university education in the lifelong learning perspective. To acquire skills required for the inclusion in professional activities at the end of the three-year course.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of Biology and Ecology.
Course unit content
The first part of the course aims to provide the essential elements of the teaching/learning processes: learning theories, teaching methods and techniques.
The second part, in particular, deals with problems, perspectives and practices related to the Didactics of Biology, while the third part develops by addressing the main scientific-methodological aspects that characterize Environmental Education oriented towards sustainability.
Full programme
Introduction to the terms «education», «teaching» and their meaning
Didactics and teaching/learning processes
From knowledge to competences
The main learning theories (short introduction)
Biology and the study of living beings (Analytic and systemic approach to the study of Biology, Structural and Functional Biology, Notes on the history of Biology)
Didactics of Biology today: challenges, problems and perspectives
Themes and key concepts of Biology (a proposal for teaching)
The main teaching methods and teaching techniques (characteristics of the main active techniques, laboratory didactics)
The main normative references for the Didactics of Biology
The vertical curriculum in the Didactics of Biology
The design of Learning Units in Biology
From the Didactics of Biology to Environmental Education; perspectives and reflections
The transition from environmental education to environmental education oriented towards sustainability (short references to the historical/evolutionary path)
The concept of sustainability
Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The main ethical approaches for living beings and sustainability
The concept of sustainability and its educational declinations
Learning contexts for Environmental education oriented towards sustainability
A glance at environmental education oriented towards sustainability in the Italian context (normative references, practices in the school and extraschool context)
The planning of activities/projects in environmental education oriented towards sustainability (educators and students’ skills and competences, evaluation processes, learning units)
Sustainable schools: the proposal of a whole school approach
The planning in environmental education oriented towards sustainability in the extraschool context (short hints and examples of projects and/or activities)
Bibliography
The study material will be provided/indicated by the teacher during the course.
Teaching methods
Lectures and participatory methods
Active teaching techniques (brainstorming, debriefing, etc.)
Educational planning laboratory
Video and multimedia materials are used during the lessons
Assessment methods and criteria
An oral exam is used to assess learning. During it the knowledge and skills acquired by the student will be evaluated, as well as the ability to make cross connections on the topics covered.
The oral exam will be preceded by a multiple-choice written test lasting 30 minutes, in which the learning of basic knowledge discussed during the course will be evaluated. The passing of the test (which does not contribute to the final evaluation) will be communicated immediately at its end and will allow the student to take immediately after the oral exam.
Other information
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