An exploration of the state and status of nature awareness, appreciation and education in the Irish primary school system
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MADDEN, PATRICK ANTHONY, An exploration of the state and status of nature awareness, appreciation and education in the Irish primary school system, Trinity College Dublin.School of Education, 2019Download Item:
Abstract:
Abstract
This research explores the state and status of nature awareness, appreciation and education in
the Irish primary system. The research was undertaken because personal observation,
anecdotal evidence, media reports and literature seem to indicate that children today are not
engaging deeply with nature both at home or at school. This perceived lack of engagement is
a cause of concern in a time of increasing biodiversity depletion and environmental
degradation. The research design consists of a mixed methods approach in which (1) mainly
quantitative methods are used (a) to elicit the views of 219 practising primary teachers based
in schools in the counties of all four provinces on the question, (b) the nature-knowledge of
253 first year ITE students based on the content that sixth-class pupils would be expected to
be familiar with, and (c), the status accorded to nature by inspectors in 220 primary schools
situated across the country. (2) Qualitative methods are mainly used (a) to elicit the views of
six experienced external visitors to primary schools who are knowledgeable about nature.
The research finds that nature awareness, appreciation and education in primary schools is in
decline due to a variety of factors such as poor school-ground design, lack of knowledge of
teachers, lack of time to engage children with this domain of learning especially in an outdoor
framework and lack of emphasis on it in ITE and by significant stakeholders in primary
education. These findings are significant because the literature constantly reiterates the fact
that children?s meaningful engagement with nature is beneficial for their mental and physical
health, their aesthetic and spiritual appreciation, and their creative, cognitive and emotional
development.
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https://tcdlocalportal.tcd.ie/pls/EnterApex/f?p=800:71:0::::P71_USERNAME:PAMADDENDescription:
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Author: MADDEN, PATRICK ANTHONY
Advisor:
Murphy, ColettePublisher:
Trinity College Dublin. School of Education. Discipline of EducationType of material:
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