Environmental Adult Education Research Articles

Effectiveness of Adult Environmental Training Programme from the Perspective of Adult Facilitators and Learners in Enugu State, Nigeria

The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of adult environmental training programme from the perspective of adult facilitators and learners in Enugu State. The study was guided by 2 research questions and two null hypotheses. The design of the study was a descriptive survey research design. The sample consisted of 668 respondents made up of 213 facilitators and 455 adult learners in 395 state owned adult education centres in Enugu State. Multi-stage sampling technique was used in drawing the sample composition of the study. Influence of Environmental Awareness and Training of Adult Facilitators on the Implementation of Environmental Adult Education Programme Questionnaire (IEATAFIEAEPQ) was the main instrument used for data collection. The instrument was validated by research experts, two in Adult Education and one in measurement and evaluation. The instrument overall reliability coefficient was 0.78, which showed that it was highly reliable. The data collected through the instrument was used to respond to the from the 2 research questions that guided the study using mean and standard deviations, while t-test analysis was used to test the two null-hypotheses formulated for the study. The data analyses revealed among others that: Environmental awareness creation among adults and training of environmental adult education facilitators has effect on the implementation of environmental adult education programme. Conclusion was drawn and recommendations were given.

Prison-based environmental training programs: who is being transformed?

Adult environmental education and training programs (environmental programs) are used to promote environmental stewardship in the United States (US). One unique setting for these programs is US prisons. Prison-based environmental programs vary widely, from Cooperative Extension Service programs (e.g. Master Gardener programs) to STEM lecture series to environmental literacy and job training programs to conservation research programs. Scholars have examined how these programs impact people who are incarcerated, but there is little research on how these programs affect the programs’ non-incarcerated facilitators (e.g. program administrators, educators, scientists, etc.). In this exploratory study, we use semi-structured, in-depth interviews to examine the experiences of some individuals engaged in implementing prison-based environmental programs. Our findings show how participants’ efforts to “transform” people who are incarcerated led many of them to their own transformations in how they perceived (1) people who are incarcerated, (2) their environmental programs, and (3) the broader carceral system.

Environmental Adult Education and Sustainable Development: Gender Equity Perspective

Without addressing environmental degradation and the social and economic inequities of the future, poverty reduction today cannot be accomplished or sustained. This is especially true when it comes to gender-based discrepancies in how the environment is used. Inherent societal gender inequality is a violation of human rights and a major concern for sustainable development. A thorough understanding of how men and women relate to the natural environment and environmental resources, as well as their rights and roles in resource planning and management, is required for social equity in society, gender-sensitive economic strategies, and environmental protection, according to discussions on equity and sustainable development in this paper. This understanding can be attained through environmental education programmes.

The Role of Environmental Adult Education in Community Development

This paper examined the role of environmental adult education in community development. In this study, the concept of adult education, its objectives and its relevant was properly stated, it also investigates the concept of environmental adult education, its objectives and principles, the concept of community development and its objectives, and lastly the role adult education in community developmental drive. In conclusion, this study discovered that, our environment is full of activities daily by man, industries and other natural occurrences which needed to be properly managed and controlled. In view of the above the following recommendation where made: that Government at every level should ensure that environmental laws are enforced to cut down some of this environmental hazardous activities, the policies of adult education should be pursuit squarely, measures should be put in place for checks and monitoring, the role of every adult in the society should not be under-mind, which calls for mass campaign or sensitization of the need for human capacity development, development of indigenous people in our communities should be paramount in the pursuit of this environmental issues as the only solution or a way out the problems we are facing these days especially in Rivers State and other part of the country.

The Role of Environmental Adult Education in Community Development

This paper examined the role of environmental adult education in community development. In this study, the concept of adult education, its objectives and its relevant was properly stated, it also investigates the concept of environmental adult education, its objectives and principles, the concept of community development and its objectives, and lastly the role adult education in community developmental drive. In conclusion, this study discovered that, our environment is full of activities daily by man, industries and other natural occurrences which needed to be properly managed and controlled. In view of the above the following recommendation where made: that Government at every level should ensure that environmental laws are enforced to cut down some of this environmental hazardous activities, the policies of adult education should be pursuit squarely, measures should be put in place for checks and monitoring, the role of every adult in the society should not be under-mind, which calls for mass campaign or sensitization of the need for human capacity development, development of indigenous people in our communities should be paramount in the pursuit of this environmental issues as the only solution or a way out the problems we are facing these days especially in Rivers State and other part of the country

The Role of Environmental Adult Education in Community Development

This paper examined the role of environmental adult education in community development. In this study, the concept of adult education, its objectives and its relevant was properly stated, it also investigates the concept of environmental adult education, its objectives and principles, the concept of community development and its objectives, and lastly the role adult education in community developmental drive. In conclusion, this study discovered that, our environment is full of activities daily by man, industries and other natural occurrences which needed to be properly managed and controlled. The role of every adult in the society should not be under-mind, which calls for mass campaign or sensitization of the need for human capacity development, development of indigenous people in our communities should be paramount in the pursuit of this environmental issues as the only solution or a way out the problems we are facing these days especially in Rivers State and other part of the country.

Exploration of Environmental Adult Education Participant Experiences and Implications for Future Practices

Author(s): Fitzwilliams-Heck, Cindy J. | Abstract: Initiatives promoting environmental adult education (EAE) through professional development (PD) ensures educators have the knowledge and skills to inform their audience about environmental literacy and stewardship.n However, no research has focused on reflective experiences of an EAE PD from educator participants at least five years after participation.n Eight past participants were interviewed to determine whether and how they saw their behavior changing in relation to natural resources conservation and how they shared these changes with others.n Analysis using the contextual lenses of EAE, outdoor experiential learning, and transformative learning theories led to five emergent themes: (a) becoming a more effective educator; (b) increasing awareness of conservation importance; (c) experiencing positive emotional effects; (d) augmenting behaviors that impact the environment; and (e) having positive experiences at the EAE PD location.n These findings may ignite new means for approaching curriculum specific content with heightened attention on the value of conserving natural resources.

INTEGRATING INDIGENOUS SOCIO-CULTURAL FORMS IN ENVIRONMENTAL ADULT EDUCATION FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION BETWEEN PASTORAL NOMADS AND HOST COMMUNITIES IN NIGERIA

Conflict between pastoral nomads and host communities in Nigeria today have resulted in the degradation of the environment, and the impoverishment of the host communities. This has occasioned banditry, criminality and even armed insurgency by nomads and host communities. Strategies identified by government and researchers geared towards resolving the conflict and ensuring peaceful co-existence between farmers and herders have not helped to a large extent. Such strategies include among others, establishment of cattle colony in the federating states, establishment of the Commissions of Enquiry, and deployment of securities, environmental dialogue, environmental communication, environmental mediation, regular environmental sensitization meetings. In spite of the above-mentioned strategies, the conflict still persisted. This paper explored some of the indigenous socio-cultural forms which can be integrated in environmental adult education for forestalling conflict between pastoral nomads and their host communities in Nigeria. The paper concludes that since environmental adult education thrives on the experience of the participants derivable from their value systems which brings to bear in learning, efforts should be made to utilize these sociocultural forms which embody peoples’ values systems in mobilizing and educating herders and farmers on the need for peaceful co-existence.

Environmental education for youth and adults: a bibliometric analysis of research

In recent years there has been a sharp increase in the interest of humanity to environment preservation. It has become clear that the reckless use of nature will sooner or later lead to a catastrophe that will have not only environmental, but also economic and social consequences. The article provides a bibliographic analysis of scientific papers from around the world on the basis of Scopus with the keywords "environmental education" and "environmental adult education" for the period 1968 - 2019. It was found that in this regard most attention is paid to the US authors. The scientific works of the authors, who are the leaders in terms of the number of publications on environmental education of adults, have been studied. With the help of Vosviewer software it was determined which countries publish the biggest and the smallest number of scientific papers with the keyword "environmental adult education". Scientific works of domestic scientists were also analyzed. Adult education is becoming important in addition to the classic concept of school education. The article analyzes, which fields of science have the biggest and the smallest number of scientific papers with the keyword "environmental adult education", where social and environmental sciences became the leaders.

Koncept životne sredine u andragoškoj literaturi i univerzitetskom obrazovanju andragoga

This paper is based on the assumption that to facilitate the contribution of andragogy and adult education to the processes of "societal transformation", we as researchers and university teachers are required to question our own understanding and integration of the concept of the environment as one of the key dimensions of sustainable development in this area. The paper starts by asking the following questions: In what way are the environment and the relation of the human kind and environment conceptualized in andragogical literature? Does the integration of this concept contribute to the disappearance or the balance of knowledge about the environment within adult education, in a general sense and in university education, in particular, and in what way does it contribute? In our search for answers, we employed the qualitative trend analysis to conceptualize the environment in the works of authors in the field of environmental adult education, originating from the last decade of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century. We shall analyse terminological and conceptual relations among environmental and ecological constructs, as well as their relation to the concept of sustainable development.

Delineating the role of environmental adult educators: drawing critical considerations from an empirical case study

Current sustainability challenges call for strengthening educational efforts and research beyond formal school practice, in the context of Environmental Adult Education (EAE). The study reported here focuses on exploring the profile and practice of Greek environmental adult educators. Based on semi-structured interviews conducted with 11 EAE practitioners working with some of the most prominent Greek environmental NGOs, the study delves into the role of an environmental adult educator. Qualitative content analysis indicated that participants are highly educated professionals from diverse scientific backgrounds, whose careers started as volunteers in the same NGO, or as formal education teachers. Own educational experiences and personal worldviews, the NGO’s mission and professional socialization are reported as important motivational factors to pursue EAE. They draw the profile of a qualified EA educator as combining specialised knowledge, competencies, values and a vision. Their mission is perceived as primarily promoting environmental conservation through indirect action. They endorse mainly the role of co-learner, reflective practitioner and experience facilitator. Structural barriers, such as inadequate funding, multiple duties, and lack of time, seem to undermine their efforts, although educational challenges, such as how to encourage adults to revisit their acquired knowledge or how to overcome lack of interest, stand out as important challenges.

Curbing Human Activities That Degrade the Environment: The Relevance of Environmental Adult Education

Human quest for development and increase production has lead to activities that destroys the natural environment. Environmental challenges like global warning, climate change, ozone layer depletion, habitat loss, species extinction and flooding; results from unplanned housing projects, bush burning, deforestation, oil spillages, oil theft, gas flaring, sewage disposal, overgrazing, industrial waste and emissions. Every activities of man that is done by an environmentally illiterate person, that is not conscious of the consequences of his or her actions can lead to the depletion and destruction of the natural resources in the environment. Man continues to suffer from all the consequences of his actions on the environment; it will also take only man through Environmental Adult Education to solve these environmental problems. Environmental Adult Education identifies the activities of man that destroys the environment; educate man on how to use the available natural resources in a sustainable manner and also suggest alternative ways for development. Thus, Environmental Adult Education is the best tool that can enable man to live friendly with his environment and enabling ecological balance.

Making Learning Climate Convivial: Implications for Environmental Adult Education

Making Learning Climate Convivial: Implications for Environmental Adult Education

Embedded Place-Responsive Learning, Participatory Video and Scholastic Achievement in Northern Manitoba Adult Environmental Education

Academic performance is a challenge confronting many postsecondary students in Northern Manitoba. As such, this study explores the role of situated (field-based) learning and participatory video in facilitating scholastic achievement relating to local freshwater availability and mindfulness. First-year students (n = 97) enrolled at the University College of the North in The Pas were randomly assigned to four adult education approaches containing identical subject matter. Student performance was assessed using outcomes of quantitative testing that focused on either foundational concepts or applied skills. Empirical data were examined using ordered multinomial logistic regression and explored cursorily in relation to unsolicited qualitative statements arising from instream participatory video and digitally-captured post-test interviews for each enrollee. Non-conventional lesson interaction inclusive of a modified participatory video approach significantly (p = 0.003) increased quantitative test score means by 26%, raised applied skill scores by one grade level (12%) and significantly (p = 0.07) improved concept understanding between five and 20%. Despite benefits, northern self-declared Aboriginal students still had lower (-11%) test scores on average. Importantly, there was less of a difference academically between non- and self-declared Aboriginal student test scores when situated learning and participatory video use were compared to didactic delivery alone. By identifying non-conventional strategies for improvement in environmental education, tertiary level institutions are presented another option for increasing academic performance ideally mitigating high attrition rates that continue to plague postsecondary education in Northern Manitoba; and for that matter, Canada.

The Georgia Master Composter Program: Increasing Small-Scale Waste Reduction and Education

The Georgia Master Composter Program is both an adult environmental education course and an Extension volunteer program addressing the growing demand for composting education across the state of Georgia. The 9-week program includes lectures by experts, hands-on learning, and field trips and differs from traditional master Extension programs because of the rigor of its hands-on component. Through collaboration with statewide organizations, program coordinators provide participants with current and scientifically accurate composting information. Upon course completion, volunteers share composting knowledge by volunteering in the community through an annual commitment. Participants widen the efforts of University of Georgia Extension, fulfilling composting education requests and fostering relationships with diverse community groups.

Volunteer Algae Monitoring Program (VAMP) in the Indian River Lagoon

AbstractThe University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is an adult environmental education program with more than 450 trained program graduates in St. Lucie County, Florida. It is a collaborative effort of the UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County, St. Lucie County Environmental Resources Department, and partner agencies. Four UF/IFAS Florida Master Naturalist volunteers were recruited and received training and supplies to conduct water quality testing and algae collection in the Indian River Lagoon as part of the Volunteer Algae Monitoring Program (VAMP). The UF/IFAS research and extension faculty developed VAMP in response to the 2016 harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the Indian River Lagoon that resulted in dramatic impacts on businesses, residents, and visitors in Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties. These HAB episodes demonstrate the importance of having informed citizen scientists with an understanding of the problems and threats. The VAMP citizen scientists conducted a water quality awareness survey with the general public after proactively scouting for HABs by collecting samples and conducting water quality testing at three waypoints in the Indian River Lagoon during May to November 2017 (excluding October) and February 2018. They utilized UF/IFAS Water Watch chemistry tests and processed and shipped water samples to the Laughinghouse Lab at the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, which conducted algae counts and genetic testing to determine the presence of harmful algae expressing microcystin-producing genes. Test results indicated fluctuating and inconsistent levels of saxitoxin but no indications of microcystins across the three sites and over time.

Environmental Adult Education Delivery Strategies for Promoting Effective Participation in Activities for Proper Solid Waste Management among Urban Dwellers in Abia State

Environmental Adult Education Delivery Strategies for Promoting Effective Participation in Activities for Proper Solid Waste Management among Urban Dwellers in Abia State

Non-Formal Environmental Adult Education Strategies and Communication Techniques for Addressing Environmental Degradation Challenges Associated with Grassroots Populations in Nigeria

Non-Formal Environmental Adult Education Strategies and Communication Techniques for Addressing Environmental Degradation Challenges Associated with Grassroots Populations in Nigeria

Influence of Adult Literacy Education on the Environmental Behaviours of Women

The study assessed the influence of adult literacy education on the environmental attitudes and behaviours of women in Edo State. A sample size of 253 respondents were selected using both census sampling to select the 15 adult literacy centers in the state and simple random sampling by balloting to choose the sample for the study. The instrument for the study had a reliability of 0.75 for the attitude subscale and 0.83 for the behaviours subscale. It was observed from the study that the majority of the respondents (57.3%) had a positive attitude towards the environment and their response revealed that they rarely partake in most pro-environmental behaviours. There was a weak positive relationship observed between the respondents’ environmental attitude and their environmental behaviour. Hence the researchers recommended that more emphasis should be placed on implementing adult environmental education in each of the adult literacy centers in Edo State.

Effect of Environmental Adult Education on Environmentally-Unfriendly Methods of Fishing in Rivers State

Effect of Environmental Adult Education on Environmentally-Unfriendly Methods of Fishing in Rivers State