Elements of Success in Environmental Education Through Practitioner Eyes

Abstract

Using the experiences and perspectives of practicing environmental educators, the author identified the elements that contribute most to effective environmental education. First, interviews were conducted with 18 experienced environmental educators from 11 states. Factors that appeared fundamental to the teachers' successes were assembled into an initial elements-of-success framework, consisting of 42 elements arranged in 3 categories: teaching conditions, teacher competencies, and teaching practices. The framework was then sent in survey form to environmental educators across the country. The survey yielded strong and consistent confirmation that environmental educators across the country believe the framework provides a valid and useful representation of the major elements that contribute to successful environmental education.

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Notes on contributors

Theodore S. May

Theodore S. May is an assistant professor in Teacher Education at North Dakota State University in Fargo.