THEORIES AND RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

This course, part of the Master’s Degree in Environmental Humanities, explores research in environmental and sustainability education through a focus on participatory approaches with children. It traces the relationship between environmental movements and environmental education, examining how participatory research positions children as active contributors to knowledge production. Particular attention is given to children’s agency, their developing capacity to participate, and models for their meaningful involvement in social and environmental contexts.The course introduces key elements of educational research design alongside participatory and arts-based methods, and combines theoretical input with laboratory activities addressing real-world environmental and community-based issues.
By the end of the course, students will be able to critically engage with and apply participatory approaches to research in environmental education.

1. Knowledge and Understanding
• Understand participatory research with children in environmental and sustainability education.
• Know the main research methods and key elements of educational research design.
• Understand participatory methods and their role in environmental knowledge production.

2. Applying Knowledge and Understanding
• Be able to design and conduct participatory research involving children in environmental contexts.
• Be able to apply appropriate research methods and participatory techniques.

3. Making Judgements
• Be able to critically analyse and evaluate research methodologies and participatory approaches in environmental education.

4. Communication Skills
• Be able to communicate and present research processes and findings to different audiences.

5. Learning Skills
• Be able to independently analyse scientific literature and develop a reflective approach to research.

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

Evolution of environmental movements and their relationship with environmental education, leading to participatory approaches with children; participatory research with children in environmental and sustainability education; children’s agency, developing capacity to participate, and models of participation in social and environmental contexts; principles and frameworks for involving children in research, with reference to children’s rights and participation; fundamentals of research design, including types of research (qualitative and quantitative), research questions, and variables; participatory and arts-based methods for engaging children with environmental and community-based issues.

BANZATO M., Lectures and written notes for the course Theories And Research In Environmental Education (2026 Edition), available on the Moodle platform.

The lecture notes will be accompanied by a selection of scientific articles, which will be specified and made available on the Moodle platform throughout the lectures. This collective material constitutes the reference text and the official exam program for all students.

IMPORTANT:
Students who are unable to complete their preparation in the classroom can access the study materials on Moodle, which will be identical to those used by students attending in presence.

Student assessment will consist of a written exam featuring 11 multiple-choice questions (1 point each) and 4 short-answer open questions (up to a maximum of 5 points each). Exam duration: 50 minutes.
The questions are designed to assess both the theoretical knowledge acquired and the skills of understanding, analysis, and application to case studies relevant to the discipline.
The open questions are evaluated based on the following criteria: (a) accuracy and relevance of theoretical knowledge; (b) ability to understand and re-elaborate the content; (c) appropriate use of disciplinary language; (d) clarity and effectiveness of expression.
A score of up to 2 points will be added to the written exam grade for the drafting of a participatory research proposal involving children in the field of environmental education, carried out in small groups. This activity develops progressively throughout the teaching in blended mode, according to the phases outlined in the lecture schedule.

written

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

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 course adopts a blended learning approach, structured into 10 in-presence lectures and 5 online sessions. Teaching activities include traditional lectures, guided discussions, and small-group workshop activities specifically dedicated to the progressive development of the participatory research proposal involving children in the field of environmental education.

To access the Moodle platform, please write to banzato@unive.it with the following email subject line: THEORIES AND RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ACCESSO MOODLE

IMPORTANT:
Students who are unable to complete their preparation in the classroom can access the study materials on Moodle, which will be identical to those provided to students attending in presence.

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