[RETURN TO 5-14 ONLINE] [INDEX] [NEXT]
| Preface
In October 1998 Scottish CCC - now Learning and Teaching Scotland - began an extensive consultation exercise following a Ministerial request to review the 5-14 guidelines for environmental studies in order to clarify and simplify them. Primary, secondary and special schools, teacher education institutions, local authorities, professional associations and relevant interest groups were all given the opportunity to participate in consultation on the revision of these guidelines. As a result, the information and communications technology and health education components have been removed from environmental studies and are issued as separate guidelines to reflect their importance across the 5-14 curriculum. Consequently, the revised guidelines for environmental studies offer advice on the three components: social subjects, science and technology.
These revised guidelines for environmental studies 5-14 are firmly based on the previous guidelines but they have also drawn on existing good practice in order to provide a clearer, more manageable framework that will support teachers as they plan, teach and assess programmes for environmental studies across the 5-14 age range. Most schools will find that the guidelines reflect current practice and that only modest adjustments to their existing programmes are required.
The revised guidelines retain the organisational framework of knowledge and understanding, skills and developing informed attitudes.
Within knowledge and understanding there is now a much clearer specification of pupil attainment at six levels for each of the separate outcomes. This will enable teachers to have a sharper focus on learning goals when developing pupils' understanding of the key ideas of each of the strands.
The common framework of skills has brought together the previous skills strands to provide a more manageable approach across the three components. This will allow teachers to adopt a consistent approach to the development of pupils' skills, while also allowing the distinctive nature of the skills associated with each component to emerge.
Developing informed attitudes has been described in terms of three broad objectives that link to those embedded in the Scottish curriculum for all learners aged 3-18, namely a commitment to learning, respect and care for self and others, and social and environmental responsibility. Such a framework reinforces the essential role that environmental studies plays in fostering young people who are reflective, caring, and aware of their responsibilities as citizens and as stewards of a sustainable global environment.
The guidelines emphasise the importance of curriculum coherence, continuity and progression so that pupils are able to make connections within and across curricular areas, and can enjoy learning experiences that motivate and challenge them. As schools develop their programmes they will be informed by the supplementary advice and exemplification that is contained within the guides for teachers and managers. Neither the guidelines nor guides prescribe a particular methodology in the teaching of environmental studies. There are many valid and effective ways of motivating children to learn, and schools will adopt the approach that is best suited to their particular circumstances and to the needs of their pupils.
These guidelines are commended to all concerned with the education of pupils aged 5-14.
Mike Baughan Chief Executive, Learning and Teaching Scotland [RETURN TO 5-14 ONLINE] [INDEX] [NEXT]
|