Eeew! There's dew on my toes: Common characteristics of preservice elementary teacher learning in environmental education and instructional strategies for science teacher educators

Abstract

This chapter discusses the pedagogical journey of a science teacher educator in implementing environmental education in a preservice elementary science teaching methods course. Vignettes of interactions with students in teacher education classrooms illuminate five common characteristics exhibited by preservice elementary teachers: inadequate content knowledge, ecophobia, avoidance of minor physical discomfort, low confidence with physically manipulating mechanical devices, and a need for highly structured learning environments. Discussion of the author's instructional strategies to address these characteristics provides teacher educators with the opportunity to reflect on their own experience engaging preservice elementary teachers in scientific inquiry, nature-study, ecology, and environmental education. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.