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A Visualisation Tool for Experiential Learning in Environmental Science

Using Football Fields, Agricultural Fields and Waterways to Illustrate the Implication of Different Water Allocation Decisions

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Biology Education for Social and Sustainable Development

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Abstract

Environmental education challenges educators to provide students with activities that cover complex societal issues, enhance critical thinking and to promote interdisciplinary and holistic learning. A further challenge is to convey this information so that it provides a solid foundation for participatory decision making. For example, effective management of water resources requires consideration of the social, economic and environmental consequences of various water allocation decisions together with an understanding of the possible conflicts that arise from these decisions, particular under scenarios of limited water supply. Well designed visualisation tools can enhance teaching and understanding of difficult concepts. For example, they can be designed to allow students to participate in hypothetical decision making and to visualise the potential implications of their decisions under a range of scenarios. A review of the published literature revealed that several visualisation tools have been developed for use in science education, but few provide the option for students to participate in integrated environmental decision making.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, School of Life and Environmental Science, Deakin University, Warrnambool, Australia

    Anne Wallis

  2. Horsham Campus Research Precinct, University of Ballarat, Horsham, Australia

    Michelle Graymore

  3. Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, School of Life and Environmental Science, Deakin University, Warrnambool, Australia

    Ty Matthews

  4. Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, School of Life and Environmental Science, Deakin University, Warrnambool, Australia

    Susan Byrne

Authors
  1. Anne Wallis
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  2. Michelle Graymore
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  3. Ty Matthews
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  4. Susan Byrne
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Victoria, Canada

    Mijung Kim

  2. National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

    C. H. Diong

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© 2012 Sense Publishers

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Wallis, A., Graymore, M., Matthews, T., Byrne, S. (2012). A Visualisation Tool for Experiential Learning in Environmental Science. In: Kim, M., Diong, C.H. (eds) Biology Education for Social and Sustainable Development. SensePublishers, Rotterdam. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6091-927-5_7

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