Effects of a training workshop on action-oriented environmental education in biology student teachers’ professional development

Abstract

This research was designed to analyse the effects of a training workshop on action-oriented environmental education for sustainability (EEfS), in the professional development of biology student teachers, to promote high school students’ environmental action competence. Therefore, a training workshop (48h) with biology student teachers (n = 12) was conducted. Data was collected through an initial and final interview to trainees, logbooks of trainees and the researcher and material produced by the trainees. The content analysis of the interviews showed that the workshop had a positive impact on increasing the action-oriented knowledge and skills of these student teachers to carry out action-oriented EEfS, and what most of them valued more in their professional development was to increase their content knowledge and general pedagogical knowledge. Therefore, despite the limitations of this study, it is possible to conclude that the action-oriented methodology was effective in the promotion of these student teachers’ professional development. The main implication of these results is the efficiency found in this methodological alternative in EEfS for these university students, suggesting the importance of introducing it in the biology student teachers’ training in the future.