Accommodating environmental controversies in the classroom curriculum: too hot to handle or opportunities for deep learning?

Article

McLaine, John and Dowden, Tony. 2011. "Accommodating environmental controversies in the classroom curriculum: too hot to handle or opportunities for deep learning?" The Social Educator. 29 (2), pp. 22-29.

Article Title	Accommodating environmental controversies in the classroom curriculum: too hot to handle or opportunities for deep learning?
ERA Journal ID	40474
Article Category	Article
Authors	McLaine, John (Author) and Dowden, Tony (Author)
Journal Title	The Social Educator
Journal Citation	29 (2), pp. 22-29
Number of Pages	8
Year	2011
Place of Publication	Melbourne, Australia
ISSN	1328-3480
Web Address (URL)	http://search.informit.com.au/fullText;dn=189291;res=AEIPT
Abstract	Studies have shown that young people have a keen interest in environmental issues and the controversies surrounding them, yet environmental controversies often struggle to gain unfettered access to the classroom curriculum. This article discusses the findings of a research project that investigated the beliefs of secondary school teachers about a proposal to build a pulp mill in Tasmania. The study found that teachers were wary of the political context but nonetheless discerned the educational benefits of including subject matter of topical and particular interest to their students in the classroom curriculum. Although environmental controversies can be hot to handle, this paper argues that a student-centred approach to curriculum design, organised around issues of relevance and meaning to young people, offers scope for substantive engagement and deep learning.
Keywords	local curriculum; environmental controversies; curriculum integration
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020	390107. Humanities and social sciences curriculum and pedagogy (excl. economics, business and management)
	410403. Environmental education and extension
	520102. Educational psychology
Public Notes	Copyright 2011 The Social Educators' Association of Australia (SEAA).
Byline Affiliations	Launceston Church Grammar School, Australia
	University of Tasmania
Institution of Origin	University of Southern Queensland

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