Online Course-Principles and Foundations of Environmental Education

OVERVIEW:

Students will gain a foundational knowledge of environmental education and learn how to incorporate quality environmental education (EE) into their instruction.  Students explore the history and goals of EE, develop an understanding of the professional roles and instructional methods of environmental educators, and interact with other educators from across the state.

CAEE’s on-line EE Teacher Institute is a professional development course aimed at classroom teachers and non-formal educators. Through distance learning, course participants will explore, at their own pace and from the convenience of their home or office, the knowledge and skills of effective environmental educators.

Participants will work first individually and then participate in a virtual large discussion format by giving and receiving feedback from the group.  Assignments will help participants build a professional portfolio demonstrating their knowledge and skills in environmental education that can be applied toward certification. Participants in the course will be eligible to submit their work for certification in CAEE’s certification program.

To read more about CAEE's Environmental Educator Certification Program, click here.

**Participants in the course can submit their portfolio for Certified Environmental Educator  review for no additional fee.  Master Certified Environmental Educator portfolios may be submitted for an additional $50 (savings of $50).

COURSE FORMAT AND DETAILS: 

All work and communications will be done online using the Blackboard course website. Course dates will be from June 4-August 12. The cost of participating in the course through CAEE is $100.  Two optional graduate-level recertification credits are available through the Colorado School of Mines Teacher Enhancement program for an additional fee ($90 per credit).

Access to a computer and internet connection will be required. The course needs a minimum of 8 participants. If we do not meet the minimum number of participants and cancel the course, you will be notified as soon as that information is available. 

ASSIGNMENTS:

The course is built upon the 5 themes for the professional development of environmental educators in Colorado. The themes are Environmental Literacy, Foundations of Environmental Education, Professional Responsibilities of the Environmental Educator, Planning and Implementation, and Assessment and Evaluation.

Each theme includes competencies or statements of what individuals are expected to be able to demonstrate. Competencies are included in a rubric with measurable or observable actions that enable one to judge whether an individual has mastered a particular competency.  

There will be two assignments/postings each week based on the competencies.  Each week participants will submit one piece of evidence demonstrating all or part of the skills and competencies for the week and comment and give feedback on at least one other classmates submitted evidence.   

SYLLABUS:

Click on the link below to download the syllabus:

https://www.caee.org/syllabus-online-course-principles-and-foundations-environmental-education