APPLICATION OF CASE STUDIES FOR THE FORMATION OF ECOLOGICAL CULTURE IN PROSPECTIVE BIOLOGY TEACHERS


Authors: Kamelia Yotovska, Victoria Necheva, Petia Genova-Kalou
Keywords: Ecological culture, Case studies, Prospective biology teachers

Abstract:
Coping with environmental pollution is a systematic challenge for public actors, economic sectors
and education. In this article the methodology for the application of environmental cases in the process
of training students - future teachers of biology is developed. Case solving in the learning process is
based on the consideration of cases taken from practice or very close to practice that is problematic
and/or difficult to solve.
The article presents a system of case studies that include primarily eco-innovation, services, and
models, new solutions such as advanced household heating technologies, or innovative ways to reduce
air pollution from energy use, transport and agriculture. The methods used in this study are theoretical
analysis and synthesis, focus groups.
The cases developed are two main types: cases where the problem situation is described, no
decision has been made and decision-making possibility is discussed and case studies that describe the
problem situation, a decision or series of decisions have been made, and the correctness of the approach
and the decision has been discussed.
Students' opinion on the application of the elaborated case system is that they develop skills to:
identify problems and rank them in importance; assess possible solutions and choose a solution based
on rational arguments; take a decision in a limited time.Download article