Guidelines for Designing EE Materials

High quality environmental education materials incorporate the following six key characteristics that have been identified by the North American Association for Environmental Education (1998), and care should be taken to select curricula that encompasses all six items;

1. Fairness and Accuracy:

EE materials should be fair and accurate in describing environmental problems, issues, and conditions, and in reflecting the diversity of perspectives on them.

2. Depth:

EE materials should foster awareness of the natural and built environment, an understanding of environmental concepts, conditions, and issues, and an awareness of the feelings, values, attitudes, and perceptions at the heart of environmental issues, as appropriate for different development levels.

3. Emphasis on Skills Building:

EE materials should build lifelong skills that enable learners to prevent and address environmental issues.

4. Action Orientation:

EE materials should promote civic responsibility, encouraging learners to use their knowledge, personal skills, and assessments of environmental issues as a basis for environmental problem solving and action.

5. Instructional Soundness:

EE materials should rely on instructional techniques that create an effective learning environment.

6. Usability:

EE materials should be well designed and easy to use.

North American Association For Environmental Education. (1998). Environmental Education Materials: Guidelines For Excellence. Troy, OH. pp. 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 20.