Developing Environmental Decision-making in Middle School Classes (original) (raw)

This paper presents Rowland's Ways of Knowing and Decision-making Model for curriculum development and how it can be applied to environmental education curricula. The model uses a problem solving approach based on steps of: (1) coming to know the problem through the ways of knowing of the disciplines and personal knowledge; (2) proposing solutions to the problems using the applied disciplines; and (3) using an ethical/moral framework for evaluating the proposed solutions and choosing one for personal action. An example is provided from a seventh grade class that investigated the issues surrounding the Glen Canyon Dam controversy through the study of native and exotic plants, endangered fish and their habitat requirements, fishing techniques used in the river, the biology of the area before the dam was built, and general ecological principles.