Section outline

  • This module is designed to introduce (or refresh your memory of) the history, definition, and purpose of environmental education.

    Objectives

    After completing this module, you should be able to:

    • Explain what environmental education is and delineate the five objectives of environmental education. 

    Assessment

    • Module 1 Tasks

    • What is Environmental Education?

      When you think of environmental education, what do you think of? How would you define it if you were explaining it to someone?

    • TASK 1: Before viewing the video below, write your definition of environmental education as if you were explaining it to someone unfamiliar with environmental education. 

      After viewing the video, reflect on what was similar to your definition of EE. What was different? 


    • What is Environmental Literacy?

      If environmental education is aimed at environmental literacy, just what exactly is environmental literacy?  

    • TASK 2: How do you define environmental literacy? Record your answer in your Course Journal.

      Now, watch this short video and then compare and contrast the video's content with your definition of environmental literacy. Be sure to include specifics. Record your responses in your Course Journal.


    • Looking Ahead

      Remember, the summative assessment for this course is to design and implement an effective environmental education lesson using the 5E learning cycle that will be evaluated by a professional environmental educator using this scoring rubric. 

      It's a good idea to keep that in mind as you progress through the course and ensure you have time to secure a date and an audience to implement your lesson. If necessary, your moderator can help you find teaching venue.

      NOTE: Teaching your lesson should not take place until you first complete Modules 1 - 5. 

      After reading the scoring rubric, mark this activity as done.

    • Submit Module 1 Course Journal Assignment
      Due: Sunday, 24 May 2026, 12:00 AM

      Submit your complete Module 1 Course Journal in this assignment.

      • View scoring guide>>
      • You may upload a Word document or submit a link to a Google Doc. If you submit a link to a Google Doc, adjust the sharing settings so that it can be viewed by anyone with the link. Click the blue Share button in the top right. A new box will open, under Get Link, select 'Anyone with the link'.