Submitted by John (not verified) on October 10, 2007 - 19:52.
As an environmental studies student almost 40 years ago, past master's student of outdoor education 30 years ago, past environmental educator and US National Park Service Ranger Naturalist, and now as director of an environmental sciences master's program, it heartens me that environmental education is almost considered mainstream. As an undergraduate, I wanted to focus on education, but my professors were activists, and they did not appreciate the value of education. As a reminder let's appreciate our over used, but very important "creed".
“I believe that education is the fundamental method of social progress and reform. All reforms which rest simply upon the law, or the threatening of certain penalties, or upon changes in mechanical or outward arrangements, are transitory and futile.... But through education society can formulate its own purposes, can organize its own means and resources, and thus shape itself with definiteness and economy in the direction in which it wishes to move.... Education thus conceived marks the most perfect and intimate union of science and art conceivable in human experience.”
--John Dewey, My Pedagogic Creed, 1897
I cannot speak for all, but for many of us who at some time in our lives have referred to ourselves as environmental (or outdoor) educators, the words of Dewey remain an inspiration.
Thank you to all who contribute to learning about the environment. Tally Ho!
EE is crucial to sustainability
Submitted by John (not verified) on October 10, 2007 - 19:52.
As an environmental studies student almost 40 years ago, past master's student of outdoor education 30 years ago, past environmental educator and US National Park Service Ranger Naturalist, and now as director of an environmental sciences master's program, it heartens me that environmental education is almost considered mainstream. As an undergraduate, I wanted to focus on education, but my professors were activists, and they did not appreciate the value of education. As a reminder let's appreciate our over used, but very important "creed".
“I believe that education is the fundamental method of social progress and reform. All reforms which rest simply upon the law, or the threatening of certain penalties, or upon changes in mechanical or outward arrangements, are transitory and futile.... But through education society can formulate its own purposes, can organize its own means and resources, and thus shape itself with definiteness and economy in the direction in which it wishes to move.... Education thus conceived marks the most perfect and intimate union of science and art conceivable in human experience.”
--John Dewey, My Pedagogic Creed, 1897
I cannot speak for all, but for many of us who at some time in our lives have referred to ourselves as environmental (or outdoor) educators, the words of Dewey remain an inspiration.
Thank you to all who contribute to learning about the environment. Tally Ho!