Figure 2 summarises the relationships between modern, postmodern science, the affective and
cognitive domains, pedagogy and environmental education. The picture presented in Figure 2 of
modern science and its related pedagogy and environmental implications is stereotypical, and
most real-life teaching and learning contexts are certainly more complex than this. However, the
relationships in the figure illustrate how inappropriate views of science may influence pedagogy,
producing negative views of science, as well as acting counter to environmental education.
Assessment-driven, objectives-led, formal education systems for science, such as the national
curriculum, that emphasise non-contextual subject content are unlikely to foster meaningful
learning that is essential for positive engagement with science in environmental contexts. In
contrast, the constructive postmodern model emphasises integration of knowledge to include
cognitive and affective responses through an experiential, process, enquiry-based curriculum
with interdisciplinary links. This approach is more appropriate to our understanding of science
and learning processes, and is more likely to foster students’ engagement with environmental
education.
Figure 2. Relationships between modern, constructive postmodern science, the affective and cognitive domains, pedagogy and environmental education.