Improving pre-service ECE teacher education in planning field trips for Science and Environmental Education from their learning output

JULIO CÉSAR TOVAR-GÁLVEZ

Abstract

Some studies indicate that pre-service early childhood education (ECE) teachers have difficulties to plan field trips for science and environmental education. This study aims to describe the field trips planned by 139 pre-service ECE teachers at a Spanish university to identify transferable insights to improve their education. The qualitative methodology analyses the participants’ proposals. The results reveal pre-trip activities mostly centred on the teacher, during-trip activities with a minimal emphasis on science learning, and post-trip activities highlighting artistic expressions. The discussion addresses transferable insights and a more complex view of planning.

Keywords

Early Childhood Education, Environmental Education, field trips, teacher education, Science Education

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References

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.26220/mje.5612

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