Basics of Environmental Education
Course Materials
This is an independent study and can be completed on your own time. It is a prerequisite for taking the Methods of Teaching Environmental Education workshop, which is also a required course for North Carolina Environmental Education Certification. The Basics of Environmental Education consists of a group of articles, videos, and online interactive lessons as well as reflection questions.
Participants are encouraged to complete the readings and activities in the sequential order for full understanding. Your completed answers to the discussion questions should be between 40-200 words, depending on the depth of the question. Do not submit answers to the discussion questions until all are completed.
You can download the questions as a pdf or as a Word document:
Basics of EE Independent Study Questions
Your answers should be sent as an attachment to eecertificationnc@lists.ncmail.net.The subject line should be your full name and Basics of EE. Example: John Doe – Basics of EE. The Basics of EE counts as 10 hours in Criteria I; an EE Form is not necessary. You will be notified when your response has been accepted.
Articles and Activites for Basics of EE
*Note: Before you begin the readings, please answer question number one from the Basics questions:
1.) "As you begin this independent study section, reflect on your involvement and role in environmental education. How would you describe environmental education to a friend or family member?"
2.) What is EE? This is a NAAEE eePRO Module (the NAAEE site will provide a completion certificate. Please attach it to the email with your other Basics responses).
4.) The History of EE This is a NAAEE eePRO Module (the NAAEE site will provide a completion certificate. Please attach it to the email with your other Basics responses).
5.) Captive and Noncaptive Audiences - A Story about How I Arrived at the Idea and What I Mean by It (Appendix 4 from Making a Difference on Purpose, Sam H. Ham)
6.) A Sense of Wonder for Young Minds David Orr
7.) Beyond Ecophobia David Sobel
8.) Two Hats John Hug
9.) Should Action Be a Goal? No J. Kwong
Should Action Be a Goal? Yes Rick Wilke
Self-Assessment (hard copy)
Self-Assessment (online)
11. Review the EE Organization and Agency Information document. Our Partners page can provide more details if desired.
12. The "Reflection" question is required, even if you do not feel your definition of EE changed from your first answer. Please refer to the Basics Questionaire for guidance.
(Optional) Watch Meaning Making as the Endgame of Interpretation Sam H. Ham
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