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- The Use of Mobile Sensors by Children: A Review of Two Decades of Environmental Education ProjectsPublication . Silva, Maria João; Gouveia, Cristina; Gomes, Cristina AzevedoOver the past twenty years, the use of electronic mobile sensors by children and youngsters has played a significant role in environmental education projects in Portugal. This paper describes a research synthesis of a set of case studies (environmental education projects) on the use of sensors as epistemic mediators, evidencing the technological, environmental, social, and didactical dimensions of environmental education projects over the last two decades in Portugal. The triggers of the identified changes include: (i) the evolution of sensors, information and communication platforms, and mobile devices; (ii) the increasing relevance of environmental citizenship and participation; (iii) the recognition of the role of multisensory situated information and quantitative information in environmental citizenship; (iv) the cause–effect relation between didactical strategies and environmenta. education goals; (v) the potential of sensory and epistemic learners’ practices in the environment to produce learning outcomes and new knowledge. To support the use of senses and sensors in environmental education projects, the SEAM model was created based on the developed research synthesis.
- A didactic model to support the use of senses and sensors in environmental education problem solvingPublication . Silva, Maria JoãoProblem solving, and specifically the goal of developing problem-solving competences, is a significant dimension of environmental education. Moreover, human senses and electronic sensors have been recognized as important tools in authentic problem-based learning. The purpose of this paper is to present a model to support teachers in creating didactic activities that use human senses and electronic sensors as epistemic mediators in participatory environmental education problem-based learning. The EcoSolvingS model is based on a set theoretical and practical perspectives, and on a cross analysis of a selection of environmental education problem-solving case studies. In a first part, this paper presents the dimensions of the theoretical foundations of the EcoSolvingS model. Subsequently, the results of the cross analysis of the environmental education problem-solving case studies are presented and related to the components of the EcoSolvingS model. Finally, the model is described, and its utility and future developments are discussed.
- Sensing locally in the global environment: using sensors in teachers’ educationPublication . Silva, Maria João; Almeida, António; Valente, Bianor; Rodrigues, Margarida; Manteigas, VítorIn 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 educationPublication . Silva, Maria João; Rodrigues, Margarida; Melo, Nuno; Sarreira, PedroIn 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.