Computer mediated communication and online teacher training in environmental education

Abstract

This paper describes how certain aspects of on-line education can benefit teacher training in Environmental Education (EE) subjects. On-line education differs from first and second-generation Distance Education systems in that participants glean new knowledge from interaction with one another, and this factor offers enormous potential in EE. In fact, EE aims include the development of problem solving, decision-making and teamwork skills. MEDEA, an on-line teacher training course on a methodological approach to design and realise EE projects in Italy, is presented as a case study. This paper describes both the structure of the course and how it was carried out. The results and the lessons learned are discussed.