Closing the Gap: Potentials of ESE Distance Teaching

Sonja T. Fiedler, Thomas Heyne and Franz X. Bogner
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Sonja T. Fiedler: Department of Biology Education, Centre of Maths and Science Education, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
Thomas Heyne: PSE (Professional School of Education), University of Wuerzburg, 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany
Franz X. Bogner: Department of Biology Education, Centre of Maths and Science Education, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 14, 1-18

Abstract: Environmental and sustainability education (ESE) traditionally relies on green teaching environments and active participation. Thus, during the lockdown phase, a gap between curricular goals and learning outcomes appeared. This study investigates the impact of ESE distance teaching on 288 Bavarian fifth-graders and learning factors that could bridge this gap. The influence of digital preferences on learning progress is examined and compared with the influence of fascination levels. A negative correlation between spending time outside in nature and spending time inside in front of a digital device is expected. A control group completed a learning unit about biological topics such as plant identification and environmental factors, as well as ESE topics such as characteristics of sustainable agriculture, at an out-of-school ESE center. The experimental group completed the same learning unit in distance teaching. Fascination with Biology (FBio) and Digital Nativity Assessment Scale (DNAS) were applied in addition to a customized knowledge test. Both values seem to have a positive impact on learning outcomes. There were no significant differences between the control and experimental group. Surprisingly, Fascination and Digital Nativity show a low, if not negligible, relationship. Implications for digital ESE, especially between outdoor learning centers and schools, are discussed.

Keywords: distance learning; sustainability teaching; digital nativity; fascination with biology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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