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Ecological Literacy . Frankie Bernard Jason Tyrone Chase Brandinne Schwab. Ecological Literacy . Definition Use Procedure Results Suggestion Discussion. Laws of Thermodynamics Basic principles of ecology Carrying capacity Energetics Least-cost, end use analysis.
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Ecological Literacy Frankie Bernard Jason Tyrone Chase Brandinne Schwab
Ecological Literacy • Definition • Use • Procedure • Results • Suggestion • Discussion
Laws of Thermodynamics Basic principles of ecology Carrying capacity Energetics Least-cost, end use analysis Limits of technology Appropriate scale Sustainable agriculture and forestry Steady state economics Environmental ethics Ecological Literacy- Definition 10 things all college students should basically comprehend David Orr, Earth in Mind: On Education, Environment, and the Human Prospect pg 14
Ecological Literacy- Use • “Many things on which our future health and prosperity depend are in dire jeopardy: climate stability, the resilience and productivity of natural systems, the beauty of the natural world, and biological diversity” These are all the work of highly educated people. David Orr, Earth in Mind: On Education, Environment, and the Human Prospect pg 7
Ecological Literacy- Procedure • Interviews • Face to face • Email • Review of curriculum and course offerings • Correspondence with David Orr
Ecological Literacy- Results • Do you teach Ecological Literacy in your classes? • Majority said no, would look into it, but didn’t have much time or space in current classes • Is Ecological Literacy important? • Majority thought it was, but believe that their other course materials are more important
Ecological Literacy- Results • Should there be a greater emphasis on Ecological Literacy in Freshman Forum? • I have somewhat mixed views on this. I am not much of a fan of the current freshman forum class, as I think it just kind of throws things together that the faculty of the semester think would be "cool." I'd much rather see a course that had some real intellectual integration to it. I think that something that would introduce some level of ecological literacy would be good, if integrated into an overall intelligible course design.
Ecological Literacy- Results • Two labs offered at W&J that teach ecological literacy • EVS 101- Introduction to Environmental Studies • BIO 100- Environmental Literacy- Ecology for Non-Biology Majors All students required to take one lab course to fulfill Section IV requirements
Ecological Literacy- Results • David Orr – National Wildlife Federation’s Campus Ecology Project Listings www.nwf.org/campusecology Ball State’s “Green for Green” Program Lindsey Wilson’s “Be Aware” Program University of South Carolina’s English 101 Pilot Project: Writing about Environmental Issues
Ecological Literacy- Suggestions • “Green for Green” Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana 19,000 Students • Summer funding is provided to educate professors on ecological literacy, in the hope that they include relevant material in their courses • 8 years, 164 faculty, 40 of 46 academic programs represented
Ecological Literacy- Suggestions • “Be Aware” Lindsey Wilson College, Columbia, Kentucky 1,368 students • Main goal: to raise awareness about environmental issues and implement earth friendly practices • Sold bracelets and recycled T-shirts to raise money for recycling bins, sponsored coloring contest for elementary students
Ecological Literacy- Suggestions • English 101 Pilot Project: Writing about Environmental Issues University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 35,000 students • 9 classes offered, 220 students • Wrote about environmental themes, provided 2,200 hours of community service
Ecological Literacy- Discussion • W&J has taken the first steps in providing the essential tools for ecological literacy. The administration, faculty, and students must continue to pursue developing opportunities, and not be too focused on keeping things how they have always been. • Questions?