How do primary pre-service teachers in a regional Australian university plan for teaching, learning and acting in environmentally responsible ways?

Abstract

Integrated unit plans with an environmental focus can provide opportunities for school students to develop critical thinking skills, and to act in responsible ways - that is, to develop 'action competence'. In this study, environmentally focused integrated unit plans, developed and implemented by final year pre-service teachers at an Australian regional university, were analysed to determine the extent to which they contained concepts that promoted action competence. Results here suggest that more work could be done in the area of pre-service education to prepare teachers for teaching, learning and acting responsibly in relation to complex environmental issues. In particular, there could be more emphasis on developing integrated unit plans that empower school students and promote critical thinking, democratic processes and action-oriented knowledge.