TEACHING STUDENTS ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE ANALYSIS

Human interactions with earth systems result in increasing numbers and varieties environmental problems. Air and water quality, land and waterway use, resource extraction and waste disposal are among human activities associated with environmental problems. Environmental issues occur when people disagree about how to deal with or resolve such environmental problems.

In order to learn skills necessary for engaging in environmental problem resolution students should be able to recognize environmental problems and analyze the role of humans in creating and perpetuating such problems.

This presentation will describe and discuss a teaching strategy known as environmental issue analysis. Knowledge of issues is one of several variables thought to be associated with environmental literacy (Hungerford, Litherland, Peyton, Ramsey, & Volk, 1996). The issue analysis strategy enables students to become skilled at analyzing any environmental issue for it players (the people or groups involved) and their positions, beliefs and values. A sample issue analysis worksheet and practice issue analysis will be provided. Issue analysis has been used with late elementary school aged students and higher.

References

Hungerford, H. L., Litherland, R. A., Peyton, R. B., Ramsey, J. R. & Volk, T. V. (1996). Investigating and Evaluating Environmental Issues and Actions: Skill Development Program - Teachers Edition (p. 205), Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing, L.L.C.