A Study on the Activation Strategy of Site-Based Experiential Environmental Education

현장체험중심의 환경교육 활성화 방안 연구 -독일의 환경교육이 주는 시사점을 중심으로-

This study examined the current status of school environmental education (EE) in Germany, and attempted to propose strategies to develop school EE in Korea. The study intended to accomplish the following goals: First, this study attempted to examine the developmental process of school EE in Germany. Second, exemplary cases of site-based experiential education in Germany are selected and analysed to develop pedagogical strategies in school EE in Korea. The strategies for development proposed in this study can be summarized as follows: First, the focus of EE should go beyond that of "solving or curing"environmental problems and pollutions, and need to be re-directed to pursue an "education for sustainable development", a new paradigm for future EE. Second, EE should increasingly integrate outdoor site-based, experiential programs into the currently classroom-based and knowledge-driven forms of education, not only to maximize its educational effect but also and knowledge-driven forms of education, not only to maximize its educational effect but also to coordinate the instruction of EE in the context of the educational reform agenda, currently undergoing since the late 1990s, in Korea. Third, teaching-learning materials for EE should be variously developed, and programs should be encouraged to serve local needs and circumstances for effective classroom practices, and criteria for standardization and professionalization should be sought in developing these programs. Fourth, it is recommended that the Ministry of Environment secure funds to facilitate the local school authorities at the municipal and provincial levels to operate a mobile environmental support system, equivalent to the function of the "Lumbricus"in Germany. Fifth, an external support network should be established among the support agencies for EE. Especially, a professional agency or institute to academically support school EE and a special planning committee for enhancing EE need to be established for resource and personal development. Parents′voluntary participation should also be encouraged to establish a tripartite network of "school-community-government" to support and facilitate school EE.