Pereira AM, Dos Santos RS, Pinto RS and De Boo J. Animals in Education: An Online Course Based on the Principle of Observing Animals in Nature as an Alternative to Using Animals in the Classroom. Poster session presented at: Alternatives in the Mainstream: Innovations in Life Science Education and Training. 2nd InterNICHE Conference; 2005 May 12-15; Oslo, Norway


Abstract

Animals in Education will be the first online course promoted by Cambridge e-Learning Institute in Portugal. It is intended to reach teachers in primary and secondary schools, representatives of animal welfare organisations involved in animal welfare education, and education professionals associated with universities and teacher training institutions. It is structured in two modules, the first addressing basic knowledge of the main concepts in animal welfare and environmental education, and the second suggesting a series of field studies applied to life sciences. Based on the principle of non-invasive fieldwork without harm or direct disturbance to the animals, the second module describes activities where students are encouraged to get out of the classroom in order to observe animals in nature. From a pedagogical perspective, this type of alternative is very important because experiential learning has a positive effect on remembering. Similarly, the harmful use of animals in the classroom may disturb the learning process, and learning capacity may be reduced. Using the experience, knowledge and skills of several Portuguese scientific institutions, the Animals in Education course includes a variety of fieldwork activities, for example the observation of dolphins in their natural environment, organised by the Portuguese Centre for the Study of Marine Mammals. The course intends to provide practical and innovative ideas as alternatives to the use of animals in the classroom and hence to promote a curricular transformation based on a humane approach to life science education.