A competence based evaluation tool for environmental education

Abstract

Evaluation is a crucial ingredient of any educational process - environmental education is no exception. Notwithstanding the increased status assigned to environmental education worldwide, evaluation practice is not yet considered as an integral part of the environmental education process. The aim of this research study is to focus on the role of evaluation within environmental education. The research also involves the design of a competence based evaluation tool, specifically for environmental education initiatives. The tool is based on a list of indicators compiled in three checklists related to the three main domains in environmental education i.e. the Cognitive, Skills and Action domains. The aim of the evaluation tool proposed is to determine accurately the effectiveness of the environmental education process - the objectives, the pedagogy and above all the learner-focused outcomes in relation to a change in learners' knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours.