Evaluation of Environmental Education Activities

Abstract

In this chapter, we will discuss why and how to evaluate environmental education (EE) activities. Currently, EE activities have been used as a tool for many programs and projects aiming at specifics goals, being fundamental to evaluate them properly and continuously, comparing the results obtained in relation to the proposed aims, verifying the difficulties, redirecting the work, and, finally, measur- ing the quality of learning. So, evaluation can subsidize both the learner in its devel- opment and the educator in the re-dimensioning of its pedagogical practice. A good evaluation begins with the planning phase and continues throughout the application phase. The use of proper methods is essential, either qualitative or quantitative ones, depending on the focus of the questions and evaluation objectives. For that, a evalu- ation design must consider which method of data collection is going to be used, why it is going to be used, and how to properly analyze the data obtained. In Brazil, there are still a few cases of evaluation of Coastal and Marine EE actions when compared to initiatives in land environments. One of these experiences is described in this chapter: the case study of the Underwater Marine Trail Project (Southeast coast of Brazil).