Repository logo
 
Loading...
Profile Picture

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Sensing locally in the global environment: using sensors in teachers’ education
    Publication . Silva, Maria João; Almeida, António; Valente, Bianor; Rodrigues, Margarida; Manteigas, Vítor
    In order to develop elementary school children's environmental citizenship, the 2lst century teachers have to improve their own environmental literacy and electronic sensors can have an important role in that improvement. The research presented in this paper describes an environmental education project that uses electronic sensors to support future teachers in thinking globally while sensing and acting in their local environment. Future teachers used sound sensors, temperature sensors, as well as carbon dioxide sensors, together with smartphones, to explore natural and urban systems in order not only to characterize these systems, but also to: i) understand ecosystems' services and interconnectedness; ii) identify environmental problems; and plan related solutions in what concerns climatic comfort and air quality. The data acquired and produced in ecosystems' explorations were selected and are presented in this paper, as well as the related interpretations.The leaming results are related to: i) the local characterization of a natural ecosystem and of the teachers' education school campus; ii) the differences and relations between Lisbon, urban systems and the neighboring natural ecosystems; iii) the identification of interventions to improve the environmental quality of the campus. This research contributed to validating the use of electronic sensors and smartphones as a useful strategy to produce environmental information about the explored ecosystems, to link local and global approaches in environmental education, as well as to support students' actions, planned to enhance the Campus environment.
  • Mathematics in Environmental Issues: Research-based interdisciplinary practices in preservice teacher education
    Publication . Silva, Maria João; Rodrigues, Margarida; Melo, Nuno; Sarreira, Pedro
    In this chapter, the authors present and assess, in the context of , the process and results of the implementation of an interdisciplinary didactic sequence on environmental and mathematics education, developed to promote preservice teachers research-based interdisciplinarity. The data were gathered, using participant observation and the reports produced by the preservice teachers' groups. The collected data were treated using content analysis techniques. The results of the participant observation and the analysis of the preservice teachers report validated the research-based interdisciplinary didactic sequence on environmental and mathematics education. The critical and research-based activities, reflection, and assessment, developed by preservice teachers, allowed the production of knowledge to improve practices in higher and basic education contexts.