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This book analyses the evidence for global change, and suggests that the Earth is going through a profound transformation, caused in large part by human action. Land, oceans, polar regions and the atmosphere are all being deeply affected by the human population's lifestyle: what should the educational response be to these various aspects of global change? To answer this, the values of an ecological response are developed, leading to the notion of an 'Ecological Social Imaginary', which looks at how humans can change their way of living to one that is more in harmony with the planet that they live on and depend upon. To enable this, an ecological form of education, Connective Education, is proposed. This focuses on how the human and natural world can be connected for the benefit of humankind and all living and non-living entities, joining head, hand, heart and spirit to the web of life. It is argued that through Connective Education, a particular type of person is formed: one who is able to take their place in the human and natural world, and in this way truly connect with their planet. The book will be essential reading for those working in the fields of Education and Environmental Studies.
List of contents
Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. Setting the Scene: Domains, Challenges and the Social Imaginary.- Chapter 3. The Modern Social Imaginary.- Chapter 4. Education in the Modern Social Imaginary.- Chapter 5. The Major Challenges of the 21st Century?.- Chapter 6. The Challenges of the 21st Century and the Modern Social Imaginary.- Chapter 7. The Ecological Social Imaginary.- Chapter 8. Education in the Ecological Social Imaginary.- Chapter 9. Conclusion.
About the author
Jeff Buckles is Senior Lecturer in Education at York St John University, UK. He has 20 years' experience of teaching in secondary, middle and primary schools as a teacher and head teacher. He has also taught in Higher Education for 16 years.
Summary
This book analyses the evidence for global change, and suggests that the Earth is going through a profound transformation, caused in large part by human action. Land, oceans, polar regions and the atmosphere are all being deeply affected by the human population's lifestyle: what should the educational response be to these various aspects of global change? To answer this, the values of an ecological response are developed, leading to the notion of an 'Ecological Social Imaginary', which looks at how humans can change their way of living to one that is more in harmony with the planet that they live on and depend upon. To enable this, an ecological form of education, Connective Education, is proposed. This focuses on how the human and natural world can be connected for the benefit of humankind and all living and non-living entities, joining head, hand, heart and spirit to the web of life. It is argued that through Connective Education, a particular type of person is formed: one who is able to take their place in the human and natural world, and in this way truly connect with their planet. The book will be essential reading for those working in the fields of Education and Environmental Studies.
