Course Title: Environmental Education for Sustainability in Early Childhood Settings

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Environmental Education for Sustainability in Early Childhood Settings

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

TCHE2163

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

360H Education

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2017

Course Coordinator: Anne Hoguhton

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7915

Course Coordinator Email: anne.houghton@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 220.04.09

Course Coordinator Availability: By email appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course introduces you to the concept of sustainability and the role that education plays for sustainability. Education for sustainability is an emerging field that examines the conceptions of traditional learning and teaching approaches and the prevailing challenges faced in the new paradigm change. You will examine the principles, theories and practices of environmental education and the call for sustainability in the context of early childhood settings. The understanding of education for sustainability is important as shifts for transformative change call for more experiential, constructivist and participatory learning and teaching. This course aims to build your knowledge of sustainability issues. It will assist you in developing strategies for the implementation of new educational approaches for the sustainability of early childhood education. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Identify and review the concepts and nature of sustainable developments in early childhood context
  • Apply your knowledge and skills in curriculum, pedagogy and assessment that aligns with philosophies of education for sustainability to your professional practice within an early childhood context 
  • Reflect on educational policy and practice in both local and international contexts that support an understanding and awareness of sustainability 
  • Use creativity, critical thinking and innovation when incorporating ideas of education for sustainability into diverse educational contexts 
  • Communicate using a range of formats and strategies to audiences within and external to the discipline of education in order to undertake an advocacy role for education for sustainability


You will be assessed on your development of the following program learning outcomes in this course:

  • Engage with diverse learners in a range of educational contexts in order to develop skills and knowledge for flexible and adaptable participation in professional communities of practice. 
  • Develop and apply theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to your professional practice and development in curriculum, pedagogy and assessment.
  • Work with others in a range of roles and contexts, demonstrating cultural, environmental and social awareness and ethical and reflective practice.


Overview of Learning Activities

This course is based on experiential and active learning where learners work individually or with others in the wider community to share and co-construct their knowledge and skills. The course may include a range of activities from face to face, lectures, tutorials, workshops, field trips, on-line discussions, curriculum design and readings in order to support the development of the learning outcomes of the course.


Overview of Learning Resources

Your RMIT lecturer will recommend and also provide learning resources in this course which may include books, journal articles and web resources appropriate for environmental education and education for sustainability. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning in education for sustainability.


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program capabilities.

Assessment may include reports, projects and presentations, individually and in groups. Assessment will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of your learning. You will be able to develop your work in relation to your own specific areas of interest in your professional practice.

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.

A Student Charter http://www.rmit.edu.au/about/studentcharter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions which are available for review online: http://www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academic#assessment