A study of children's valuations of their experiences at a resident environmental education field centre

Abstract

This study explores children's valuations of their experiences at an environmental education field centre in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Patterns and tendencies in these valuations are described and discussed in relation to theoretical issues, the results of studies in other contexts and contextual factors which may have influenced valuations. The primary aim is to inform programme development at the field centre studied, but findings could also be useful for field centres in general and could contribute to the debate about environmental education at field centres. The open-ended worksheet, a regular programme activity, used as a data source is discussed and recommendations made regarding its potential use in evaluation and research. Examples are described to illustrate ways in which some preliminary findings of the study had been implemented at the field centre. The need for further research at the field centre is stressed.