Combining Geographic Field Trips and Nature Bildung: A Dual Approach in Danish and German Teacher Training

Fieldwork didactics and education for sustainable development (ESD) are integral components of geography teacher training. However, these subjects are often taught separately. Fieldwork in nature provides a wide range of opportunities for experiencing nature, and Nature Bildung is regarded as a central concept in ESD. Moreover, research highlights that a connection to nature is a significant factor in promoting sustainable and responsible actions (Grund & Brock, 2020; Mayer & Frantz, 2004; Roczen, 2011).

We will present a collaborative project between the University of Education Ludwigsburg and University College Copenhagen, exploring how Nature Bildung theory and geographical fieldwork didactics can be combined to enhance Nature Bildung through fieldwork courses in teacher education. As part of the project, five student groups each designed a three-hour fieldwork assignment in the UNESCO Geopark Odsherred. These assignments were developed based on pedagogical and didactical theories, with students tasked to select field trip locations that aligned with their conceptual frameworks.

The project was evaluated to address the question of how geographical fieldwork can be conceptualized in teacher education to foster Nature Bildung through a double-didactic approach. Data for the evaluation includes a questionnaire, observation field notes, student-designed materials, and group interviews conducted post-project.

In our presentation, we will share key findings from the study and discuss their implications for teacher training programs and ESD.

 

Grund, J., & Brock, A. (2022). Formal Bildung in times of crises: The role of sustainability in schools, vocational education, and universities. Institut Futur, Freie Universität Berlin. Available at https://www.bne-portal.de/bne/shareddocs/downloads/publikationen/FU-Monitoring/fu-monitoring-formale-bildung-in-zeiten-von-krisen.pdf (14.01.2025).

Mayer, F. S., & Frantz, C. M. (2004). The connectedness to nature scale: A measure of individuals’ feeling in community with nature. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 24(4), 503–515. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2004.10.001

Roczen, N. (2011). Environmental competence – the interplay between connection with nature and environmental knowledge in promoting ecological behavior (dissertation). Eindhoven University of Technology.