THEORIES AND RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

The course is part of the elective and optional courses of the Master's Degree in Environmental Humanities and is held during the second term. It provides students with theoretical and methodological foundations for research in environmental education and education for sustainable development, with a specific focus on participatory research with children.
The main objectives of the course are:
To introduce students to key approaches and methods in environmental education research;
To provide methodological tools for designing and conducting both conventional and participatory research in education;
To develop students’ ability to critically analyze research methods and apply them to the field of environmental and sustainable education.
The course is structured into three parts:
- Introduction to participatory research with children in environmental education – This section covers the foundations of participatory research, the development of children's capacity to participate, organizational principles of participation, and models for children’s involvement.
- Fundamentals of educational research design – Students will acquire knowledge and skills related to research paradigms, types of research, literature review, research questions, population and sampling, variables and hypotheses, and research instruments.
- Application of participatory research methods in environmental education – This section focuses on practical applications, where students will work in groups to analyze and apply participatory research methods in the field of environmental and sustainable education.
By the end of the course, students will have acquired the skills to design, conduct, and critically assess research in environmental education, with a particular emphasis on participatory approaches involving children.

1. Knowledge and Understanding
Understand the principles of participatory research with children in the field of environmental education and education for sustainable development.
Know and understand children’s developing capacity to participate, the organizational principles of participation, and innovative models for involving children in participatory research.
Gain knowledge of research types, research paradigms, and the fundamental components of educational research design in environmental education, including research literature, research questions, population and sampling, variables, hypotheses, and instruments.
Develop an in-depth understanding of participatory research methods with children, specifically in the context of environmental and sustainability education.
2. Applying Knowledge and Understanding
(Understand participatory research with children in environmental education.) Be able to design and conduct participatory research projects that actively engage children in environmental and sustainability education.
(Know and understand research paradigms and design.) Be able to apply appropriate research methodologies to investigate environmental education practices and assess their impact.
(Understand participatory methods with children.) Be able to implement participatory research techniques that allow children to actively contribute to knowledge production and decision-making in environmental education.
3. Making Judgements
Develop the ability to critically assess research methodologies used in environmental education, recognizing strengths and limitations.
Be able to evaluate participatory research approaches in relation to their effectiveness in engaging children in environmental and sustainability issues.
Show the ability to reflect on and compare different theoretical perspectives in the study of participatory research and environmental education.
4. Communication Skills
Be able to communicate research findings on environmental education effectively, using specialized vocabulary appropriate for both academic and professional contexts.
Be able to present and discuss participatory research projects with peers, educators, and stakeholders in environmental education.
5. Learning Skills
Be able to independently consult and critically analyze scientific literature and research sources on environmental education and participatory research with children.
Develop a self-directed learning approach to stay updated on new participatory research methodologies and their applications in sustainability education.

This course is a required/elective course offered to students enrolled in the Master Degree in the Environmental Humanities. No prior background in the subject is required.

Partecipatory research with children; children's developing capacity to participate; organizational principles of participation and new model for involving children in participatory research; types of research; research paradigm; research literature and questions; population and sample; variables and hypothesis; Instruments; participatory methods with children.

Mandatory: Course lessons + research papers made available in MOODLE (for all students)

Assessment of learning will take place through a written exam composed of multiple-choice questions and questions with a short open answer. These questions concern both theoretical knowledge learned during the course and the skills of reasoning and application on case studies.
The evaluation criteria of the short answer questions on theoretical knowledge and reasoning skills are:
(a) the accuracy of the information reported in relation to the theoretical knowledge learned
(b) the appropriate use of the language proper to the discipline;
(c) the validity of the argument;
(d) the effectiveness of communication and presentation.

written

A. Scores in the 18-22 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- sufficient knowledge and applied understanding with reference to the syllabus;
- limited ability to collect and/or interpret data, making independent judgements;
- sufficient communication skills, especially in relation to the use of specific language.
B. marks in the 23-26 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- discrete knowledge and applied understanding with reference to the syllabus;
- discrete ability to collect and/or interpret data, making autonomous judgements;
- fair communication skills, especially in relation to the use of specific language.
C. Scores in the 27-30 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- good or very good knowledge and applied understanding with reference to the syllabus;
- good or very good ability to collect and/or interpret data, making independent judgements;
- fully appropriate communication skills, especially in relation to the use of specific language.
D. Honours will be awarded in the presence of knowledge and ability of applied understanding with reference to the
programme, judgement and communication skills, excellent.

The lessons will be integrated with collaborative learning activities, supported with video materials and online resources.

English

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development