| 1. |
- Borg, Farhana, 1967-, et al.
(författare)
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Assessing self-reported understanding and practices of sustainability issues among children in eco- and non-eco-certified preschools in Sweden
- 2016
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Ingår i: Leading education: The distinct contributions of educational research and researchers. 22-26 August, 2016.. - Dublin : University College Dublin. ; , s. 1-165
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- To promote sustainability, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes a need for developing knowledge and skills in all learners through education for sustainability (EfS) (UN, 2015). Environmental and sustainability education is stressed in the Swedish preschool curriculum, which states that all preschools should strive to ensure that each child develops respect for all forms of life as well as care for the surrounding environment (Skolverket, Lpfö 98 Rev. 2010). In Sweden, preschools can be awarded two different eco-certifications; about 1500 preschools are certified with ‘Green flag’ and about 200 schools hold ‘Preschool for Sustainable Development’ certification (Ärlemalm-Hagsér, 2013). However, no national evaluation strategy has been developed. In fact, there is a general lack of research on and evaluations of EfS program effectiveness in whole-school sustainability programs globally (Henderson & Tilbury, 2004). The aim of this paper is to describe the development of an instrument which was used to explore and compare the outcomes of eco- and non-eco preschools in terms of children’s understandings and practices of environmental and sustainability issues. ‘Eco-preschool’ refers to a preschool that works explicitly with EfS. The terms ‘sustainability’ and ‘sustainable development’ are used synonymously in this paper. Using a three-interlocking-circles framework, which portrays the equal importance and interdependency of environmental, social and economic dimensions (Elliott, 2013), the concept of sustainability Brundtland (1987) was operationalized in three themes: (i) transport use and recycling, (ii) consumption and (iii) resource sharing. Based on Bruner (1966) Iconic (age 1-6 years) mode of representation, which states that information stored in the form of images and illustrations can be helpful for children’s understanding of an issue, a semi-structured, illustrated interview instrument was developed. Children’s practices were explored through a play-based approach where children performed recycling activities. The instrument was pre-tested with eight children in order to finalize the question design, question wording, appropriateness of illustrations, interview techniques and timing, as well as to collect information on open-ended questions with a view of changing some of them into multiple choice questions. Applying a cross-sectional design, 53 children, aged five and six, were interviewed during February-June 2015. The interviews were audio recorded. Besides describing the development of the instrument, preliminary results from the interview will be presented at the symposium.ReferencesBrundtland, G. H. (1987). World Commission on environment and development: our common future. Oxford University Press. Bruner, J. S. (1966). Toward a theory of instruction (Vol. 59). Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Elliott, J. A. (2013). An introduction to sustainable development. London: Routledge. Henderson, K., & Tilbury, D. (2004). Whole-school approaches to sustainability: An international review of sustainable school programs. Report Prepared by the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES) for The Department of the Environment and Heritage, Australian Government. ISBN, 1(86408), 979. Skolverket. (Lpfö 98 Rev. 2010). Curriculum for the preschool. The Swedish National Agency for Education. Retrieved 08-03, 2013, from Skolverket website: http//www.skolverket.se UN. (2015). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Retrieved 02-12, 2015, from http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/70/1&Lang=E, accessed 03-12-2015 Ärlemalm-Hagsér, E. (2013). Engagerade i världens bästa? : lärande för hållbarhet i förskolan. Göteborg: Acta universitatis Gothoburgensis.
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| 2. |
- Borg, Farhana, 1967-
(författare)
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Caring for people and the planet : preschool children’s knowledge and practices of sustainability
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Children across the globe today are continuously being exposed to and affected by various kinds of real-world complexities and challenges; however, research on their knowledge and practices in terms of sustainability is limited, in particular with regards to how preschool- and home-related factors are associated with their learning for sustainability. Since 1998, different types of eco-certification have been awarded by the Swedish National Agency for Education and Keep Sweden Tidy Foundation to promote education for sustainability (EfS) in all areas of education and learning. Despite certificates having been granted in Sweden since 1998, no studies have been conducted at the national level to investigate whether eco-certification has any role to play in children’s learning for environmental and sustainability issues. This knowledge is important to develop pedagogical activities to engage young children meaningfully in learning for sustainability at preschool. This study was undertaken so as to address this research gap in a Swedish context.The overall aim of this study was to enhance the existing knowledge about preschool children’s learning for sustainability in Sweden. The objectives of this study have been to investigate and compare the knowledge and self-reported practices of sustainability among children attending eco-certified and non-eco-certified preschools, respectively, and to explore the extent to which preschool- and home-related factors are associated with children’s knowledge and practices of sustainability. Further, this study explored children’s perceived sources of such knowledge. The term ‘knowledge’ in this text refers to the descriptions of children’s ideas and thoughts. Similarly, eco-certified preschool refers to a school that work explicitly with EfS.The study was designed from a "child’s perspective": this means that it was designed by adults to understand children’s perceptions and actions. Bandura’s (1977) social learning theory and Bruner’s (1961) iconic (image-based) modes of representation were applied in various stages of the study. A conceptual framework was developed within the three-interlocking-circles model of sustainability that illustrates how environmental, social and economic dimensions are interconnected. The concept of sustainability was operationalized in four themes: economic equality, resource sharing, recycling and transport use.With the use of illustrations and semi-structured questions, final-year preschool children (n=53), aged five to six years, and the directors (n=7) at six eco-certified and six non-eco-certified preschools were interviewed, while guardians (n=89) and teachers (n=74) filled out questionnaires. Qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed using content analysis and Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA), respectively. The quality and complexity of children’s responses were assessed and classified using the SOLO Taxonomy (Biggs & Collis, 1982).The results showed that by the time the children completed preschool, many had acquired some knowledge about how to use money, about the sorting of different recyclable items at home and at preschool, and about the impact of different modes of transport on the environment and people’s lives. They also had ideas about the lives of other children in the world and what it can mean to share resources with other people. There was a positive relationship between children’s declarative (understanding) and functional (practice) knowledge of sustainability issues and the involvement of teachers and guardians in sustainability-related discussions and activities. No statistically significant differences between eco-certified and non-eco-certified preschools in terms of children’s declarative and functional knowledge were found. Parents were reported to be the main sources of children’s knowledge along with the children themselves, teachers and media.The findings offer support for integrating environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainability into the daily pedagogical activities of preschools and for giving children opportunities to participate in discussions and practical activities that concern their lives. Further studies are needed to investigate the extent to which different educational activities contribute to developing children’s understanding and behavior when it comes to a sustainable society.
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| 3. |
- Borg, Farhana, et al.
(författare)
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Children's learning for a sustainable society : influences from home and preschool
- 2017
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Ingår i: Education Inquiry. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2000-4508. ; 8:2, s. 151-172
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although parents and preschool play important roles in developing children?s behavior and attitudes, little is known about their influences on children?s learning of environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainability. This study investigated the influences of home- and preschool-related practices and factors on children?s declarative and functional knowledge of sustainability issues, and the extent to which eco-certified preschools promote beneficial practices. ?Eco-certified preschools? refers to schools that explicitly work with education for sustainability. Children (n=53), aged five to six years, and the directors (n=7) at six eco-certified and six non-eco-certified preschools were interviewed, while guardians (n=89) and teachers (n=74) filled out questionnaires. Children?s responses were categorized and classified using SOLO Taxonomy. Multivariate analyses were performed in SIMCA P + 14. The findings indicate a positive relationship between children?s declarative and functional knowledge of sustainability issues and the involvement of teachers and guardians in sustainability-related discussions and activities. Teachers? verbal interaction with children about sustainability issues, and the perceived high value of these issues among teachers and directors seem to be more beneficial for children?s declarative knowledge than their functional knowledge. No statistically significant differences between eco- and non-eco-certified preschools in terms of children?s declarative and functional knowledge were found.
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| 4. |
- Borg, Farhana, et al.
(författare)
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Förskolechefers syn på arbete med hållbar utveckling bland förskolebarn
- 2015
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Lärande för hållbar utveckling har varit ett kunskapsområde i den svenska förskolan sedan Agenda 21 1992 (Program of action for sustainable development: Rio declaration on environment and development) och reflekteras i förskolans läroplan. Många förskolor är certifierade för arbete med frågor om hållbar utveckling enligt ”Grön Flagg” (Håll Sverige Rent) eller ”Skola för hållbar utveckling” (Skolverket). Även om förskolechefer har en betydelsefull funktion för att bedriva verksamheten i enlighet med målen i läroplanen och en fungerande arbetsmiljö är lite dokumenterat om chefernas perspektiv på detta arbete. Syftet med denna studie är därför att utveckla kunskap om synen på arbete med hållbar utveckling bland förskolans chefer i certifierade och inte certifierade förskolor. Frågor om hur man beskriver att förskolan arbetar för att utveckla barns intresse och förståelse för hur människor, natur och samhälle påverkar varandra och attityder till ett sådant arbeta har undersökts.Semi-strukturerade intervjuer hölls med fem förskolechefer från sju kommunala förskolor varav fyra var certifierade. Ett systemteoretiskt perspektiv används för att beskriva och förklara de attityder som framkommer i undersökningen.Datainsamling och analys är ännu inte avslutad. Preliminära resultat indikerar att förskolechefer anser att arbetet med hållbar utveckling i förskolan är mycket viktig och att frågor som rör natur och miljö, situationen för barn i andra länder, matens och leksakers ursprung etcetera, är områden som uppmärksammas. Bland förskolecheferna i certifierade förskolor framträder en tydlig ambition att integrera frågor om hållbar utveckling i verksamheten.
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| 5. |
- Borg, Farhana, et al.
(författare)
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Preschool children's knowledge about the environmental impact of various modes of transport
- 2019
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Ingår i: Early Child Development and Care. - Abingdon : Taylor & Francis. - 0300-4430 .- 1476-8275. ; 189:3, s. 376-391
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study explored Swedish preschool children’s knowledge about theenvironmental impact of various transport modes, and investigatedwhether or not eco-certification has any role to play in relation to thisknowledge. Additionally, this study examined children’s perceivedsources of knowledge. Using illustrations and semi-structured questions,53 children, aged five to six years, from six eco-certified and six non-eco-certified preschools were interviewed. Qualitative and quantitative datawere analysed using content analysis and Orthogonal Partial LeastSquares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA), respectively. Findings revealedthat most of the children had acquired some knowledge about theenvironmental impact of various transport modes, although somechildren were not familiar with the word‘environment’. Although thecomplexity of children’s justifications for the environmental impact ofdifferent modes of transport tended to be higher at eco-certifiedpreschools compared to non-eco-certified preschools, no statisticallysignificant differences were found. Parents were reported to be a majorsource of knowledge.
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| 6. |
- Borg, Farhana, Lektor, 1967-, et al.
(författare)
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Principals´ Views on and Descriptions of Preschool Education for Sustainable Development
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Applied Technical and Educational Sciences jATES. - 2560-5429. ; 10:2, s. 18-40
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Principals have an important role to play when it comes to making decisions on organizational reforms and priorities in preschool; however, there has been little focus on their views on education for sustainable development (ESD) at the preschool level, which is a reform that needs to be prioritized. Furthermore, there is little insight into similarities and differences when it comes to how different types of preschools incorporate ESD, especially from the point of view of management. For this reason, this study aims to find out about the views on ESD that principals of eco-certified and non-eco-certified preschools have. A further aim is to examine whether there are any differences between the two types of preschools – eco-certified and non-eco-certified – as made evident in the principals’ descriptions of ESD. This qualitative study applies a cross-sectional design. Seven principals, who headed a total of 22 preschools located in six municipalities in Sweden were interviewed: these interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed, and a thematic analysis was conducted. The findings demonstrate that the principals consider ESD to be crucial in early childhood education and feel ESD needs to be integrated into preschool education. Going by the principals’ descriptions, it seems that the eco-certified preschools prioritize ESD in their daily educational practices more than non-eco-certified preschools do. Further studies are needed to explore the attitudes and actions of principals when it comes to heading ESD in preschool, since attitudes guide both actions and behavior.
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| 7. |
- Eriksson, Elin, 1980-
(författare)
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Undervisning med stöd av förproducerade material : Ett närmande av naturvetenskap i förskolan
- 2022
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis aims to develop an understanding of the possibilities and challenges pre-produced teaching materials present to teachers and the learning opportunities children are offered in teaching that uses such materials. To do this a study of preschool teachers and children from three preschool departments in Sweden was carried out. The study focuses on the preschool teachers’ descriptions of their planned teaching as well as their realization of their teaching when they use the pre-produced teaching material titled “Science and Technology for All”. The teacher guides to this material, used by the preschool teachers, are also examined. The study is based on a qualitative analysis of interviews, video observations and the teacher guides. The theoretical foundation is based on a pragmatic view from the ideas of John Dewey and the theoretical concepts ultimate and proximate purposes and continuity is used in the analysis.The results of the thesis show that, even though the preschool teachers drew on the same teaching material, they displayed three different teaching practices, each of which created different opportunities to learn natural science for the participating children. The results highlight specific teaching actions that appear to either promote or hinder children's opportunities for learning natural science. The results also show that the teacher guides are vague and ambiguous, thus opening the possibility of different interpretations regarding what should be focused on in the teaching. The study concludes by stressing the importance of clear and unambiguous teacher guides. The results of the study are relevant for teaching in preschool, and other early-years educational settings for example the early school years. The results also have a general validity across a wide range of subject areas.
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| 8. |
- Fredriksson Sjöberg, Maria, 1979-
(författare)
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Vad händer med dialogen? : En studie av dialogisk interaktion mellan pedagog och barn i förskolan
- 2014
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The overall purpose of this study is to gain knowledge about dialogues in the setting of the preschool. The more in-depth purpose is to highlight what happens in dialogues between a teacher and a child when more children join the situation of interaction in which the dialogue is taking place. A further purpose is to attempt to understand what it is that influences change in the dialogue and what significance the actions of the teacher can have for this change. The study is based on several questions that concern interaction in preschools, who it is that initiates an increase in the number of participants in those situations that involve dialogue, and what happens with the dialogue when more children join and what causes the change in the dialogue.The study is based on video observations from a preschool; approximately 10 teachers and 50 children between the ages of one and six took part in the study. The situations that were observed and documented in video format were everyday activities (both indoor and outdoor) that were led at a nominal level by teachers. In total, 40 films were recorded. Film length was between one and 60 minutes. In 32 of the films, there was interaction between a teacher and several children, and 18 of these included dialogues between a teacher and several children. Dialogue is here given a specific significance and refers to the interaction that can be described in terms of presence, listening, reciprocity, and extending. This definition of dialogue derives from a combination of Martin Buber’s philosophy of dialogue and aspects of interaction that earlier research found to be significant for children’s learning. In two of the 18 films that showed dialogue, no other children became part of the situation of interaction; the remaining 16 films were transcribed; and both verbal and non-verbal events were made apparent in the transcriptions. Analyses of the recorded material and of the transcriptions were conducted using analytical terms borrowed from conversation analysis as well as the central term for this study dialogue. The results demonstrate a complex practice and also demonstrate that dialogues in the sense given in this study take place between children and teachers. Situations of interaction also occur where dialogues take place in which a number of children join. It can be the child joining the situation of interaction who takes the initiative to an increased number of participants; however, it can also be the teacher or the child in the dialogue. The initial address can take place during a moment of transition in the interaction or at the same time as another participant is talking. The dialogue often changes when more children join the situation where the dialogue is taking place. The dialogue can end completely or be interrupted and resume. The results further demonstrate that the dialogue can continue without seemingly being affected by the fact that more children join. This happens when the child joining and the teacher in the dialogue interact in a non-verbal manner at the same time as the teacher is talking with the child in the dialogue. The dialogue can also be continued with more participants. Who takes the initiative, how the initial address occurs, and which content is given focus by the different participants are all factors that seem to affect what happens to the dialogue. How the teacher acts when more children join also appears to be significant in terms of what happens with the dialogue when more children join. In those situations where the teacher begins talking with a number of children about different subjects, the interaction ceases to be dialogic. When the teacher asks the joining child to wait, the dialogue is both interrupted and resumed, and on those occasions when the dialogue continues with more participants, the teacher listens to the joining child and the participants take turns speaking.
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| 9. |
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History Curriculum, Geschichtsdidaktik, and the Problem of the Nation : Education : Special Issue
- 2012
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Ingår i: Education Sciences. - Basel, Switzerland : MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute). - 2227-7102.
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Samlingsverk (redaktörskap) (refereegranskat)abstract
- The field of curriculum studies has become increasingly sensitive to the “effects of global flows, transnational connections, and transcultural interactions” and an international dialogue has begun to take shape between the European bildung-influenced tradition of Didaktiks and the Anglo-American psychologised Curriculum Studies tradition. As it stands, the dialogue has concentrated on a comparative analysis of the traditions at the level of general curriculum theory or Allgemeine Didaktik and has rarely, if ever, drilled down into an area of subject-specific pedagogy or fachdidaktiks. This special issue seeks to address this directly, by encouraging a dialogue between various regional and national traditions of history education or Geschichtsdidaktik.
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| 10. |
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International perspectives on teaching rival histories : pedagogical responses to contested narratives and the history wars
- 2017. - 1
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Samlingsverk (redaktörskap) (refereegranskat)abstract
- Contested narratives and disputed histories have long been an important issue in history teaching all over the world, and has been described as "history" or "culture wars." In this book, authors from different parts of the world ponder the question "what can teachers do (and what are they doing) when there are conflicting narratives of the same past in circulation?" The volume presents a survey of approaches to dealing with rival histories in the classroom and it puts an epistemological issue at the center of discussion: what does it mean for the epistemology of history to teach more than one narrative? Divided into three sections that deal with historical cultures, multicultural societies and multiperspectivity, the chapters of the book showcase that how to deal with rival histories is very much contextually dependent. Diverse teaching traditions and societal debates makes for different contexts where the ability for teachers to engage in the teaching of rival narratives are very different.
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