Conceptions about environment and environmental education by teachers from rural schools in Bogotá - Colombia

Conceitos sobre meio ambiente e educação ambiental de professores de centros educacionais rurais de Bogotá - Colômbia

Abstract

The concepts of Environment and Environmental Education (EE) were characterized by a sample of teachers from four rural schools in Bogotá. EE currents were regarded as a theoretical reference (Sauvé, 2010), an aspect considered for the methodology and analysis of information. Interviews were conducted by applying the Multiple Item Classification and using environmental news images. The aim was for teachers to make classifications according to their knowledge and experiences. Based on their own descriptions, the classifications were categorized pursuant to EE currents. The information obtained made it possible to establish that educators have different ways of addressing the environmental issue and associating it with their educational practice. There was a strong tendency to assume that the Environment and EE are a biological and conservationist issue, basic aspects for life in the countryside.

Keywords:
Environmental education; teacher conceptions; environment; Multiple Item Classification