Discussion‐based group work related to environmental issues in science classes with 15‐year‐old pupils in England

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Skills in dealing with controversial issues related to the environment in the context of science lessons are an important aspect of environmental education in schools. Discussion is a valuable means of helping students to understand the nature of controversy. This study involved assessing the extent to which students exercised a range of specified skills relevant to both science and environmental education in discussing two different controversial issues. The results of the enquiry indicate that each of the eight different skill areas identified and assessed was employed to a large extent by all of the pupils involved; also that this approach to education has a highly motivating effect on students in almost all cases. On the evidence of this study, group discussion‐based learning is an effective method of providing students with the opportunity to develop learning skills which have a wide application across the curriculum.