The production and initial testing of the module "The winter environment" for use in Newfoundland elementary schools.

Collins, M. A. J. (Michael Albert James) (1975) The production and initial testing of the module "The winter environment" for use in Newfoundland elementary schools. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

In late 1973, in order to fill the need for a program concerned with proper knowledge of the local environment among elementary school children in the province, a module in environmental education was developed for use with Grade V and VI classes in Newfoundland elementary schools. The module was developed using a modified edition of the curriculum model originally produced by Taba (1962) and incorporating the suggestions of Rioux (1973) in his report on the status of environmental education in Canada. -- The first edition of the module was field tested in one school in February and March of 1974 with two Grade VI classes. As a result of this first field trial, the module was revised and rewritten. In March, April, and May of 1974, the revised module was again field-tested in two schools, on in an urban area and one in a rural area, using one Grade V and one Grace VI class in each school. -- The usefulness and effectiveness of the module was judged by a series of evaluative instruments especially developed for use with the module. The instruments included a cognitive pre- and post-test and an attitude to the environment test for students, as well as a course opinion questionnaire. Throughout the teaching of the module, teachers were interviewed about each individual lesson, using the teacher interview schedule, and, at the end of the module, the teachers were asked to fill in a course opinion questionnaire. -- The results of all these tests and questionnaires were analysed and indicated that the module was successful with the small sample of students used, and that the teachers were also enthusiastic about it. The students not only liked the module but considered they learned a lot from it, while at the same time enjoying themselves. -- It is recommended that the module be revised to take account of teachers’ suggestions, and that this new version of the module be field-tested in a larger number of schools throughout the province.

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