engleski

Freshwater research in tertiary education of pre- service teachers – a Croatian example

Croatian primary and secondary education system is undergoing a comprehensive reform, in order to shift the focus from the syllabi-based teaching content to learning outcomes and development of life competencies. The actual curriculum changes are also supported by tertiary teacher education, e.g., Department of biology (Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb) educates future biology and chemistry teachers following the trends of curricular reform. Within an elective course Sustainable Development in Science Teaching (SD), pre- service biology and chemistry teachers go through an extensive training in freshwater research (including field work and e-training), using the GLOBE-protocols. These protocols are provided by the GLOBE (The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) Program - international science and education program that enables students and their teachers to participate in data collection and the scientific process, and contribute to understanding of the global environment. In the winter semester of 2020/21, 23 students elected the SD course consisting of 30 lecture and 30 seminar hours (4 ECTS), 20 of which were dedicated to the GLOBE activities, including freshwater research. At the end of the SD course, students (pre-service teachers) completed an online survey expressing their views on the benefits of applying the GLOBE approach (including the extensive training in freshwater research) in teaching and learning process. Most students pointed out the benefits in terms of implementing experiential learning and learning by discovery through out-of-the classroom teaching and practical work (19%), and development of sensitivity to environmental problems (13%) and science literacy (13%).

urban streams ; GLOBE protocols ; pre-service teachers

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