Identifying the Characteristics of Green Curriculum Elements in the Educational System: A Qualitative Case Study

Farahmand, Atefeh; Abedini Baltork, Meimanat; Izadi, Samad

doi:10.30473/ee.2024.70789.2718

Identifying the Characteristics of Green Curriculum Elements in the Educational System: A Qualitative Case Study

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ M.Sc. Student in Curriculum Studies, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

² Associate Prof. Department of Education, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

10.30473/ee.2024.70789.2718

Abstract

The environment is a shared space belonging to humans and the plant and animal species that live in it. Over time, this borderless place has faced numerous challenges and crises as a result of irrational interactions. Therefore, protecting this valuable habitat is essential. Based on this, the current research aims to identify the characteristics of green curriculum elements within the educational system. This study follows a qualitative case study approach. The research participants included curriculum experts, environmental specialists, and science teachers, with theoretical saturation reached through semi-structured interviews with 20 individuals. The reliability and validity of the research were confirmed based on the criteria of credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis (basic, organizing, and overarching themes). The results were categorized into 126 basic themes, 4 first-stage organizing themes, 24 second-stage organizing themes, and one overarching theme. The first-stage organizing themes included goals, content, teaching-learning strategies, and evaluation. In the second stage, themes under goals and content included water, air, climate, biodiversity, natural ecosystems, waste, soil, and energy. The themes under teaching-learning strategies included teacher characteristics, student characteristics, materials and resources, educational environment, and teaching methods. The evaluation theme included assessment of knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Environmental Education

References

Abedini Baltork, M. (2020). “A Phenomenological Study of the Themes of Happiness Among Female Faculty Members of Mazandaran University”. Women and Society. 11(2), 177-206. [In Persian]. http://doi.org/20.1001.1.20088566.1399.11.42.10.6

Abedini Baltork, M. & Saffar Heidari, H. (2021). “Investigating the Degree of Attention to Environmental Crisis in the Content of Elementary School Textbooks”. Environmental Studies. 9(4), 47-60. [In Persian]. http://doi.org /10.30473/ee.2021.56557.2293

Abeyrathna, A. W. G. N. M. (2021). “Green Education in a University Classroom: Benefit and Challenges”. Working Papers on Teaching, Learning and Assessment in Transition. International Center for Multidisciplinary Studies, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3809215

Aithal, P. S. & Rao, P. (2016). “Green Education Concepts and Strategies in Higher Education Model”. International Journal of Scientific Research and Modern Education. 1(1), 793-802. https://ssrn.com/abstract=2822990

Al-Taai, S. H. H. (2021). “Water Pollution; its Cause and Effects”. First International Virtual Conference on Environmental and National Resources. Iraq: University of Al-Qadisiyah. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/790/1/012026.

Altassan, A. (2023). “Sustainable Integration of Solar Energy, Behavior Change, and Recycling Practices in Educational institutions: A Holistic Framework for Environmental Conservation and Quality Education”. Sustainability. 15(20),1-26. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152015157.

Aziz Ebrahim, M., Saligheh, M., Naserzadeh, M. H. & Alijani, B. (2022). “The Role of Climate Change in the Movement of Climatic Seasons in Iran”. Applied Research in Geographical Sciences. 21(64), 1-16. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.52547/jgs.22.64.1.

Beiramipour, A., Sharif, M., Jafari, I. & Molavi, H. (2011). “Investigation of Descriptive Qualitative Evaluation Plan in Elementary Schools of Iran and Providing Theoretical Framework for its Proper Implementation”. Curriculum Research. 1(2),1-28. [In Persian]

Debrah, J. K., Vidal, D. G. & Dinis, M. A. P. (2021). “Raising Awareness on Solid Waste Management through Formal Education for Sustainability: A Developing Countries Evidence Review”. Recycling. 6(1): 1-21. https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling6010006.

Fadhullah, W., Imran, N. I. N., Syed Ismail, S. N., Jaafar, M. H. & Abdullah, H. (2022). “Household Solid Waste Management Practices and Perceptions Among Resident in the East Coast of Malaysia”. BMC Public Health. 22(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-12274-7.

Farhadi, H. A., Charmchian Langeroudi, M. & Fallah, V. (2017). “Role of Education on the Application of Soil Conservation Practices in order to Sustainability of Paddy in Sari County”. Environmental Education and Sustainable Development. 6(1), 69-82. [In Persian] https://doi.or/20.1001.1.23223057.1396.6.1.6.8.

Farsnews. (2020). “Existence of 9 thousand Unauthorized Water Wells in Kerman/ 15 Cities in Critical Condition of Drinking Water”. [In Persian] https://www.farsnews.ir/Provinces/1596106 604000 921230/2.

Farsnews. (2023). “Damage of 7 billion dollars to the country due to air pollution”. [In Persian] https://farsnews.ir/social/1686901949000349955.

Fathi Vajargah, K. (2021). “Curriculum Identifying”. Tehran: Ayezh. [In Persian]

Ferreira, M., Martinsone, B. & Talic, S. (2020). “Promoting sustainable Social Emotional Learning at School through Relationship-Centered Learning Environment, Teaching Methods and Formulative Assessment”. Teacher Education for Sustainability. 22(1), 21-36. https://doi.org/ 10.2478/jtes-2020-0003.

Franzolin, F., Carvalho, G. S., Santana, C. M. B., Calegari, A. D. S., Almeida, E. A. E. d., Soares, J. P. R., Jorge, J., Neves, F. D. d. & Lemos, E. R. S. (2021). “Students Interests in Biodiversity: Links with Health and Sustainability”. Sustainability. 13(24), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/ su132413767.

Gall, M., Borg, W. & Gall, J. (2022). “Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Educational Sciences and Psychology”. Translators: Ahmadreza Nasr and et al. Tehran: Samt and Shahid Beheshti. [In Persian]

Heidari, M., Khadem Alizadeh, A. & Khoursandi, M. (2020). “Investigating the Effect of Economic Growth on Water Resources Consumption in the Framework on the Environmental Kuznets Curve EKC (Case Study: Selected Countries 1992-2012)”. Agricultural Economics Research. 12(1): 163-180. [In Persian] https://doi.org/20.1001.1.20086407.1399.12.45.9.9.

Hooykaas, M. J. D., Schilthuizen, M. & Smeets, L. (2020). “Expanding the Role of Biodiversity in lay People's lives: The Review of Communicators”. Sustainability. 12(7), 1-25. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/su12072768.

Hosseini Tabatabaei, M. & Hosseinikhah Choshaly, S. (2019). “The Relationship between Psychological Environmental Behavior of Tehran Students (District 2)”. Environmental Education and Sustainable Development. 7(4), 101-114. [In Persian] https://doi.org /10.30473/EE.2019.6061.

Hosseini Rad, M. & Rahmati, Z. (2022). “Students' Environmental Education: Efficacy of New and Practical Teaching Methods”. Research in Biology Education. 4(1), 51-64. [In Persian] https://doi.org/20.1001.1.27172252.1401.4.1.4.7.

IRNA. (2017). “Soil Erosion in Iran is 3 Times the World Average”. [In Persian] https://www.irna.ir/82752161.soil-erosion-in-iran-is-3-times-the-world-average.2017/12/4.

IRNA. (2018). “Go to Large Grains to Fill Unauthorized Wells”. [In Persian] https://www.irna/news/83057884.

IRNA. (2019). “Iran Ranks First in Soil Erosion in the World”. [In Persian] https://www.irna.ir/news /83585637/Iran-first-in-soil-erosion-in-the-world. 2019/12/8.

IRNA. (2019). “Soil Erosion in Iran is 4 Times the World Average”. [In Persian] https://www.irna.ir/news/83/72010.soil-erosion-in-iran-is-4-times-the-world-average. 2019/11/29.

IRNA. (2020). “Air Pollution Causes the Premature Death of 41 thousand People in the Cpountry Every Year”. [In Persian] https://www.irna.ir/news/84187769.

ISNA. (2021). “Biodiversity, A Tools in Dealing with Epidemics”. [In Persian] https://www.isna.ir/news/1400030100420.

ISNA. (2022). “Iran is the 10th Producers of Greenhouse Gases/Agreement Between Iran and Egypt in the Field of Dust”. [In Persian] https://www.isna.ir/news/1401082919746/iran-is-the-10th-producers-of-greenhouse-gases-agreements-iran. 2022/11/20.

Jafari, M. R., Hosseini, A. & Hoseinzadeh, J. (2020). “Spatial Distribution Map of Degradation in Zagros Forests of Ilam City”. Ecology pf Iranian Forests. 8(15): 1-9. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.52547/ifej.8.15.1

Jo, H., Kim, S.-A. & Kim, H. (2022). “Forecasting the Reduction in Urban Air Pollution by Expansion of Market Shares of Eco-Friendly Vehicles: A Focus on Seoul, Korea”. Environmental Research and Public Health. 19(22), 1-25.https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph 192215314.

Karami, S, Fathi Vajargah, K., Khosravi Babadi, A. A., & Farajzadeh Asl, M. (2020). “Green Curriculum in the Higher Educations of Iran: Water Crisis, Climate Change, Sources of Knowledge”. Environmental Education and Sustainable Development. 9(1), 81-94. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.30473/EE.2020.7228.

Kargozar, M. (2018). “Designing and Feasibility of Implementing the Idea of Environmental Education Curriculum in Elementary School with Integrated Approach” (Ph. D Thesis). Tehran: Tarbiat Modares University. [In Persian]

Khajouie, E., Soltani, A., & Esmi, K. (2020). “A Comparative Study of Environmental Education in Iran's Primary Schools Curriculum and Selected County”. Environmental Education and Sustainable Development. 8(2), 9-24. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.30473/EE.2020.6561.

Li, L., Du, T., & Zhang, C. (2020). “The Impact of Air Pollution on Healthcare expenditures for Respiratory Diseases: Evidence from the People's Republic of China”. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy. 13(24), 1723-1738. https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S270587.

Lotfian, S. & Nasri Fakhrdavood, S. (2018). “Environmental Policy in Iran: Challenges and Solutions”. Politics. 48(1), 270-294. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.22059/JPQ.2018.201546.1006748.

Louw, W. (2013). “Green Curriculum: Sustainable Learning at a High Education Institution”. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning. 14(1),1-15. https://doi.org /10.19173/irrodi.v14i1.1310.

Mashaullahi Nezhad, Z., Jafari Sani, H., Mahram, B., Saidi Rezvani, M., & Jalayeri Laeen, S. (2019). “The Content Analysis of Elementary Science Current from the Point of View of Environmental Components”. Research in Curriculum Planning. 16(36), 122-138. [In Persian]

Motevalli, A., Moradi, H. R., & Javadi, S. (2019). “The Effect of Overexploitation and Land Use Change on Groundwater Resources Salination Using Vulnerability Concept in the Ghaemshahr-Juybar Aquifer”. Watershed Management Research. 32(3), 2-20. [In Persian] https://doi.org/ 10.22092/WMEJ.2019.124558.1179.

Naderi, N., Nowrozy, R. A., & Seyadat, A. (2020). “Policy Making in Education”. Tehran: Yaremana. [In Persian]

Paivandi, N., Shahhosseini, S. & Mansoori, S. (2023). “Effectiveness of Teaching Environmental Concepts through Animism-Based Storytelling on Childrens' Environment Knowledge and Environmental Attitude”. Environmental Education and Sustainable Development. 11(4), 25-39. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.30473/EE.2023.66668.2598.

Parishani, N., Mirshah Jafari, E., Sharifian, F. & Farhadian, M. (2018). “The Inclusion of Educational Education Topics in Iranian Secondary Educational Textbooks and Prioritizing Neglected Topics”. Environmental Education and Sustainable Development. 7(1), 9-18. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.30473/EE.2018.5055.

Pirak, A., Yazd Khasti, M., Heidari, L., & Heidari, F. (2016). “The Role of Air Pollution in Male Infertility”. 9th Confrence Health Fertility and Infertility Research Center. Tehran: Shahid Beheshti University. [In Persian]

Sahin, E., Ertepinar, H., & Teksoz, G. (2009). “Implication for a Green Curriculum Application Toward Sustainable Development”. Journal of Education. 37(1), 123-135.

Salehi Omran, E., Abedini Baltork, M. & Mehr Alitabar Firouzjai, A. (2018). “Content Analysis of Primary Course Textbooks Based of the Amount of Attention to New Energy Components”. Education. 34(133), 75-94. [In Persian] https://doi.org/20.1001.1.10174133.1397.34.1.2.2.

Salimian Rizi, M., Amini, M. & Madani, A. (2019). “Assessment of Environmental Literacy of Students and Operational Challenges of Environmental Education in Secondary Education”. Curriculum Research. 9(2), 228-313. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.22099/JCR.2020.5536.

Shahdadnezhad, N., Jafari, A., & Jalalian, A. (2020). “Coastal Government Responsiblility in Environmental Pollution with Emphasis on the Principle of Participation in the Convention on the Law of the Sea”. Research of Nations. 6(61), 67-90. [In Persian]

Shekhar Baghani, A., & Yazdani, H. (2016). “Investigating How to Realize Sustainable Development Education in Technical and Professional Curriculum (Case Study of Mechatronics Field)”. Educational Innovations. 3(15), 37-56. [In Persian]

Shobeiri, M. (2018). “The Role of Social Networks on the Culture of the Teachers Environmental Values and Beliefs: A Case Study of the Telegram”. Environmental Education and Sustainable Development. 6(2), 37-43. [In Persian] https://doi.org/20.1001.1.23223057.1396.6.2.3.7.

Takallou, F., & Yazdanpanah, E. (2023). “The Peredictive Role of Green Space in Reducing the Stress of English Language Students of Alborz Payam Noor University: A Mixed Design”. Environmental Education and Sustainable Development. 11(4), 129-145. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.30473/ee.2023.68779.2664

Tasnim. (2021). “Why and How to Protect Bidiversity”. [In Persian] https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1400/10/05/2632477

Tasnim. (2023). “Soil Erosion in Iran is 4.5 Times the Average of Asia”. [In Persian] https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1402/05/03/2930858/.

Waktola, D. k. (2009). “Challenge and Opportunities in Mainstreaming Environmental Education into Ethiopia”. Environmental Education Research. 15(5): 589-605. https://doi.org/10.1080/13501763.2022.2140820

Weng, X., Zhang, B., Zhu, J., Wang, D. & Qiu, J. (2023). “Assessing Land Use and Climate Change Impact on Soil Erosion Caused by Water in China”. Sustainability. 15(10), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15107865

Yasemi, S., Zarei, M. & Rezaei, N. M. (2022). “Integrating Environmental Education into the Curriculum: Practical Elements Emerging from Educational Experiences and Research”. Research in Biology Education. 4(2), 63-74. [In Persian] https://doi.org/20.1001.1.271%2072252.1401.4.2.4.9

Yeli-Panula, E., Jeronen, E., Vesterkvist, S. & Mulari, L. (2023). “Subject Student Teachers' Perceptions of Key Environmental Problems and Their own Role as Environmental Problem Solvers”. Education Science. 13(8), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13080779.

Zeinalipour, M. & Fakhari, R. (2016). “Evaluating the Experiences of Primary Education Teachers in order to Create an Effective Attitude and Culture of Protecting the Environment and Natural Resources (A Quantitative Research)”. Reflective Teacher Education. 2(2), 87-100. [In Persian]