Module 2: Role of the Educator in Addressing Environmental Issues and Topics

Our Role as Educators in Exploring Environmental Issues with Learners

Educators understand that their commitment as environmental educators is to provide accurate, balanced, and effective instruction—not to promote a particular view about environmental conditions, issues, or actions. Educators: 

• Identify and implement instructional techniques for presenting differing viewpoints and theories in a balanced manner and identifying potential sources of bias in information. Differentiate among instructional materials on the basis of their factual accuracy. 
• Select and use materials that together present a range of differing viewpoints, ethical positions, and interpretations where there are differences of opinion or competing scientific explanations. 
• Weigh evidence regarding environmental problems based on validity of data (e.g., from scientific societies or reputable journals).
• Identify and implement instructional strategies and techniques that encourage learners to explore different perspectives, form their own opinions, and explain their beliefs. (Guidelines for Excellence Professional Development of Environmental Educators, NAAEE)

• How do the "two hats" differ? When is it appropriate and when inappropriate to wear each of these hats? 
• Describe a scenario for wearing each hat. Where have you worn each hat? 
• Why is it important to be aware of which hat you are wearing in exploring environmental issues with learners? 

TASK 3: Read “Teaching Controversial Issues: A Framework for Reflective Practice” by Judy Pace. How do you currently or how could you incorporate the 8 best practices into your instruction? Which practices are strengths and which could be improved? 

• Cultivate a Supportive Environment: 
• Select Authentic Issues: 
• Prepare Thoroughly: 
• Choose Research and Pedagogies: 
• Think through Teacher Stance: 
• Guide Discussion: 
• Communicate Proactively: 
• Address Emotions:

TASK 4: In order to select appropriate instructional materials that present a range of differing viewpoints, educators must know how to identify potential sources of bias in information and be able to differentiate among materials on the basis of their factual accuracy. Students must also learn how to evaluate sources of information in their investigation of an environmental issue. 

Quality of Source Card Sort Activity (this activity is modified from The Beetles Project - Evidence and Explanations Professional Learning Session) 

Look through these examples of different potential sources of information. Next, go to this link where you will see these sources in a random order. In the lower right corner, click on the Settings icon and select the bottom option “Quality” under the Background Options dropdown menu. Sort the cards and place them in a continuum, from what you think is the lowest to the highest quality of source. 

In your Course Journal, share a screenshot of how you sorted the Sources of Information cards. Then answer the following questions: 

• Briefly explain why you sorted the cards the way that you did. 
• How could an educator encourage student awareness of citing and judging quality of sources without doing the card sort?

OPTIONAL: Read through The Stink Test, an activity teaches students how to recognize whether a source is valid or not. How could you use this activity with your students?

Communicate Proactively on Controversial Topics

Teaching controversial issues is beneficial for students. When they are also controversial topics it can be challenging for educators to navigate concerns of students, parents, administrators, and others. 

TASK 5: Watch the video, “Talk the Talk: Communicating with Stakeholders” from iCivics. Who would you need to communicate with to ensure the exploration of an environmental issue goes smoothly? (Parents, administrators, school district representatives, program directors, board members, etc.) In your course journal write a communication (email, letter, handout, etc) or explain how you would communicate with your stakeholders about the environmental issue exploration you are going to engage in.