ERIC Number: EJ1104861
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2146-0329
EISSN: N/A
Transforming Environmental Attitudes and Behaviours through Eco-Spirituality and Religion
Crowe, Jessica L.
International Electronic Journal of Environmental Education, v3 n1 p75-88 2013
Incorporating spirituality and religious themes in environmental education is a way to link learners to their meaning systems. Research has shown that incorporation of a spiritual element in education provides a way for students to have authentic learning experiences and make meaning of the knowledge they acquire in the classroom. This mixed methods study examined the environmental attitudes, knowledge and actions of students in an introductory environmental science course with a spiritually infused curriculum at a community college. The quantitative data was collected from students in a survey of environmental attitudes, knowledge, and actions. Qualitative studies were conducted using a focus group to complement the quantitative data. Environmental education increases knowledge and awareness about earth's environment and teaches skills that lead to action that will ensure stewardship of all aspects of earth's environment. Integration of spirituality and religious traditions in environmental education offers an alternative approach in curriculum design that encourages learners' environmental attitudes and behaviors to be transformed.
Descriptors: Attitude Change, Environmental Education, Curriculum Design, Religion, Behavior Change, Community Colleges, Focus Groups, Spiritual Development, Teaching Methods, Course Content, Introductory Courses, College Students, Mixed Methods Research, Transformative Learning, Learning Theories, Correlation, Likert Scales, Interviews
International Electronic Journal of Environmental Education. Aksaray Universitesi, Egitim Fakultesi, Ilkogretim Bolumu, Kampus, Aksaray 68100, Turkey. e-mail: iejeegreen@gmail.com; Web site: http://dergipark.ulakbim.gov.tr/iejeegreen/index
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Two Year Colleges; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A