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Preparing Adolescents for the Uncertain Future: Concepts, Tools and Strategies for Teaching Anthropogenic Environmental Change

Author

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  • Xi Xiang

    (School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China)

  • Michael E Meadows

    (School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
    Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
    College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China)

Abstract

Humankind is increasingly being challenged by anthropogenic environmental changes and society needs to be better equipped with knowledge, skills and values to adapt to these changes. This poses new challenges for school education. We propose a framework towards future-oriented education by addressing three issues: a) How can the school curriculum be reframed to take account of anthropogenic environmental changes? b) What difficulties do students encounter when learning about these changes? c) What learning tools and pedagogical strategies are best suited to effectively and efficiently teach about environmental changes? An example is provided, whereby secondary school students engage with the topic of deforestation using geospatial technology. This study informs curriculum makers and instructors in providing education that enhances adolescents’ understanding of the uncertain world and increases their ability to be proactive, rather than merely responding to change.

Suggested Citation

  • Xi Xiang & Michael E Meadows, 2020. "Preparing Adolescents for the Uncertain Future: Concepts, Tools and Strategies for Teaching Anthropogenic Environmental Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-12, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:17:p:6832-:d:402845
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Oscar Venter & Eric W. Sanderson & Ainhoa Magrach & James R. Allan & Jutta Beher & Kendall R. Jones & Hugh P. Possingham & William F. Laurance & Peter Wood & Balázs M. Fekete & Marc A. Levy & James E., 2016. "Sixteen years of change in the global terrestrial human footprint and implications for biodiversity conservation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-11, November.
    2. Rebecca K. Runting & Stuart Phinn & Zunyi Xie & Oscar Venter & James E. M. Watson, 2020. "Opportunities for big data in conservation and sustainability," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-4, December.
    3. Christopher F. Labosier, 2019. "The Integrative Nature of Geography: Bridging the Gap in the Environmental Science Curriculum," International Journal of Applied Geospatial Research (IJAGR), IGI Global, vol. 10(2), pages 39-46, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Siti Nur Fatehah Radzi & Kamisah Osman & Mohd Nizam Mohd Said, 2022. "Progressing towards Global Citizenship and a Sustainable Nation: Pillars of Climate Change Education and Actions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-23, April.

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