Experiential learning on enhancement of environmental literacy among university students

Abstract

The Earth’s resources are being depleted faster than they can be replenished, hence adopting and promoting more sustainable ways of living that are in harmony with our communities is a crucial way to combat environmental degradation. The role of education has gained increasing recognition as a catalyst for building a better and more sustainable. There is now a growing international recognition of Education for Sustainable Development as an integral element of quality education and a key enabler for sustainable development. All individuals, especially the youth, will be equipped and empowered by knowledge, skills and values to action for conservation. In Hong Kong, Education for Sustainable Development is not stated in formal curriculum or the core course in higher education. Education sector is too focus on enhancing green campus facilities and imparting environmental knowledge but has been underrating the importance of learning pedagogy and its impact on learners’ environmental literacy.

This paper shows an Education for Sustainable Development programme which uses experiential learning approach to enhance university students’ environmental literacy by Hoi Ha Marine Life Centre of WWF Hong Kong. Using the data gathered from field note, written discourse and interview, the four components of Kolb Experiential Learning Cycle has been shown to transform and internalized student’s learning experience to enhance their environmental literacy. This paper also explores how this type of experiential learning can be further enhanced to increase the students’ environmental literacy. Recommendations were discussed for Hoi Ho Marine Life Centre to enhance their future education for sustainable development programme.