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Implementing an Ecological Simulation: Do Children's Knowledge and Attitudes Change?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 June 2015

Terry Harrison  and
Julie Clark
Terry Harrison
Affiliation:
Australian Catholic University, Sydney
Julie Clark*
Affiliation:
Australian Catholic University, Sydney
*
†School of Education NSW, Australian Catholic University, Mount St Mary Campus, 25A Barker Rd, Strathfield, NSW 2135, Australia. Email: j.clark@mary.acu.edu.au
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Abstract

Environmental education is concerned with developing both environmental knowledge and positive attitudes towards the environment. An experiential simulation activity about a native Australian bird was designed to develop both these aspects. The simulation was implemented with nine classes of 10-12 year old children. The children completed a survey before and after the simulation and their teachers reported on their responses. The results showed that the children developed additional knowledge of kookaburras and their survival and that their attitudes towards the environment became more positive. Moreover, the children themselves believed they had increased their knowledge and changed their feelings of responsibility towards the environment as a result of the simulation.

Keywords

simulationprimaryenvironmentteachingrole-play.
Type
Viewpoint
Information
Australian Journal of Environmental Education , Volume 19 , 2003 , pp. 37 - 46
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2003

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