Die beplanning van 'n buitelugterrein vir die uitkomsgebaseerde onderrig van omgewingsopvoeding binne biologie

Abstract

Environmental education is part of general education (teaching) concerned with a code of behaviour, based on knowledge about the state of the environment. The physical environment changes constantly and as a result, plant and animal life must change accordingly. Humans influence the changes that take place in the environment a great deal. Because of the rapid artificial changes that take place, plant and animal life can be damaged severely. Learners have to be educated to survive or to lean towards sustainable living. The cultivation of spiritual and moral values must be emphasized. Schools play an important role in teaching environmental education. By including environmental education in the school curriculum, the learners can be equipped with the necessary knowledge to become responsible citizens. By including "the environment" as a fase-organizer in Curriculum 2005, the importance of environmental education in school is emphasized. Outcomes Based Education introduce two sets of outcomes that have to be reached by the learners. The critical outcomes, refer to the general/basic skills and notions that must be used in all learning areas, while the specific outcomes refer to the aims related to a specific learning area. A list of outcomes, applicable to environmental education, have been formulated. Because of the fact that both Biology and environmental education are involved in the study of the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem, certain procedures are more suitable as a study method. Examples of these procedures are observing, experimenting analizing and the collecting of data. The self-discovering teaching strategy is the most sucsessful strategy that can be used in teaching Biology and environmental education. It offers the learners the opportunity to observe, to investigate and to experience. For the learner to be put in the centre of such a sensory perception, it is necessary to educate outside the four walls of the classroom. In the outdoor classroom, fieldwork can be used to expose the learners to the necessary experiences. Environmental education can only be successful if learners are confronted with a problem in their own environment. A suitable terrain, close to the school is necessary to teach environmental education. Daspoortrand is close to Hoerskool Tuine and therefore also available for the teaching of environmental education. During a Biology-period a trail can be followed where the learners can be exposed to different environmental problems. Learners must find a solution for the specific environmental problem they are confronted with. A case study has been done to establish whether or not the Daspoortrand is a suitable terrain for teaching environmental education as part of the Biology-curriculum.