The Birth of Environmental Education (First Edition) (A Case Study of the Social History of British School Curricula)

Author: Iver F. Goodson
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-11-18
Features: In this book, Dr. Goodson meticulously reviews the extensive materials on the efforts to establish an integrated "subject"—Environmental Learning—particularly the activities of the teachers and their think tank in Hartfordshire to introduce an "A" level syllabus and examination. However, his interest is not limited to the story of Environmental Learning but also lies in how this story contributes to our understanding of curriculum evolution, specifically the possibilities of reform and innovation in comprehensive schools. The activities of environmental scholars are set against the backdrop of the overall development of the school curriculum, particularly the established disciplines of biology and geography, which have been most influenced by the development of new research areas. Additionally, the book integrates political, pedagogical, and educational activities into a framework to seek "meaning." The book achieves its purpose with clarity and persuasiveness; it never overlooks the issues and complexities, always linking them closely to the central themes and significance of the events. The book's purpose is not merely to explain social phenomena. It also helps educators and supporters in various fields of the education industry understand the limitations and possibilities of comprehensive schools as a social institution in the 1980s. The book is a feast for all readers who seek a path for school curriculum that can more closely and practically align students' needs with the educational needs of society.