Evans, Neus (2006) More than a sign on the fence? Teacher learning and the Reef Guardian Schools Program in tropical Australia. In: Proceedings of the National Conference of the Australian Association for Environmental Education. pp. 159-168. From: AAEE 14th Biennial Conference Bunbury 2006: sharing wisdom for our future; environmental education in action, 3-6 October 2006, Bunbury, WA, Australia.

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Abstract

Over 190 schools in Queensland have signed up to be a Reef Guardian School in coalition with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Parks Authority. This unique program encourages schools to commit to the protection and conservation of the world heritage listed Great Barrier Reef by changing school and community practices. Examples include increased waterways protection, litter education, elimination of use of plastic bags and other initiatives.

The ARIES (2004) report into whole school approaches to sustainability states there is a need for focused research that evaluates the uptake, effect and impacts of such programs on teachers. I report on results from an original study of teachers working in regional Reef Guardian Schools in Far North Queensland. Teachers from three quite different schools were interviewed about their experiences with the program. Our analysis considers what effects the program has had on teachers' professional and personal lives.

It is widely believed that teacher learning occurs as a result of targeted professional development programs. In this study I look for evidence of teachers learning as an outcome of participating in a sustainability education program. Specifically, I ask whether teachers are thinking and doing things differently as a result of their participation in the Reef Guardian Schools Program.

Item ID:	1754
Item Type:	Conference Item (Research - E1)
Keywords:	sustainability education; environmental education; Reef Guardian Schools Program; teacher learning; teacher professional development; tropical Australia; primary schools; Reef Guardian
Additional Information:	Copyright © 2006 Australian Association for Environmental Education Inc
Date Deposited:	17 Oct 2007
FoR Codes:	13 EDUCATION > 1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy > 130299 Curriculum and Pedagogy not elsewhere classified @ 40% 13 EDUCATION > 1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy > 130212 Science, Technology and Engineering Curriculum and Pedagogy @ 40% 13 EDUCATION > 1399 Other Education > 139999 Education not elsewhere classified @ 20%
SEO Codes:	93 EDUCATION AND TRAINING > 9399 Other Education and Training > 939999 Education and Training not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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