........ published in NEWSLETTER # 57
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........ published in NEWSLETTER # 57
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE SCIENCE: EDUCATION AND TRAINING
by Professor D.J. Waddington, University, York (U.K.)
This volume (NATO ASI SERIES I29) is a unique collection of papers and subsequent discussions, gathered together during a Workshop held in June 1994 at the University of Western Ontario. It addresses problems of education and training in global environmental change science in post-secondary school education, from first year college and university to postgraduate levels.
One section entitled "Global Science Courses" includes 14 descriptions of courses from 9 countries. Another entitled "Resources for Teaching Global Change Science" contains descriptions of various strategies for teaching, with specific examples.
The final section is devoted to the Workshop discussions which were split into three groups, senior secondary and freshman university courses, senior undergraduate courses and postgraduate courses. Each discussion is divided into several parts: Where are we now? Where should we be going? How do we get there?
The problems each group believe need tackling are remarkably similar: They include:
(i) Introduction of global change courses complete with existing long-established courses which are the preserves of single-subject departments.
(ii) Difficulties in determining the relationship between depth and breadth of understanding to be sought in global change science courses.
(iii) The lack of teaching resources for teachers and students taking these courses.
This book is a contribution to a better understanding of what can be achieved, with suggestions made by an international group with considerable experience in the field.
Reference books: I29