STATE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF ECOLOGICAL TRAINING OF FUTURE TEACHERS OF NATURAL SCIENCES

Abstract

The article considers the problems of ecological training of future teachers of natural sciences in higher education institutions. In order to study the educational environment effectiveness on the process of formation of ecological competency of future teachers of natural sciences, an analysis of educational professional programs for their filling ecological content and conducted teachers and students survey. The main criterion of analysis was the presence of ecological disciplines (subjects of theoretical and applied ecology, methodology of ecological education and upbringing) and disciplines that determine the theoretical foundations of ecological culture and students' worldview of in the educational content. Based on the study results, promising guidelines for improving the effectiveness of students' ecological training of the first and second levels of higher education in the specialty “Secondary Education” of natural profile has been defined. In most universities that train teachers of natural sciences, the environmental component needs to be strengthened in the content of educational professional programs. Most ecological disciplines are optional, so we suggest including at least 50 % of the environmental component in the mandatory block. Due to the intersectional nature of ecology as a science, it is possible to further involve the potential of educational content in the formation of students' ecological competency. Such approaches should be used when designing training and internship programs, in which students will have the opportunity to gain experience in environmentally sound behavior and activities. Important in the students' ecological training is their participation in the work of environmental NGOs, environmental movements, volunteering, which allows to implement the acquired knowledge in practice and contributes to the formation of ecological culture and worldview of future teachers of natural sciences.