Including Student Teacher Perspectives in a Study of the Environmental Messages of Learning Settings

• In Event: Teacher and Teacher Education Research in Environmental Education

Abstract

This session discusses the use of semiotic research resources to involve student teachers in the exploration of the nature and types of environmental messages read in learning settings. Learning settings are created not only for the purpose of reproducing cultural values and norms, but are themselves examples of the values and cultural constructs of the larger group that created them. Student teachers are introduced to semiotic interpretive approaches, examine the environmental messages of learning settings and through interview and group dialogue contribute to a taxonomy of features that can be used to both reproduce and disrupt messages about sustainable practice and positive social interaction. Student teachers also consider the ways that these new insight may inform their practice.

Author

• Bonnie Lee Shapiro, University of Calgary