Environmental education leaders and professionals define core outcomes and purpose of EE

Clark, C. R., Heimlich, J. E., Ardoin, N. M., & Braus, J. . (2020). Using a Delphi study to clarify the landscape and core outcomes in environmental education. Environmental Education Research, 26, 381-399.

A wide variety of programs may describe themselves as environmental education (EE). EE is such a diverse and varied field that it is challenging to agree upon what we are collectively trying to accomplish. This study sought to elicit leaders' in the environmental field understanding of the outcomes of EE. Outcomes describe the goal of an EE program, and could include increased conservation behaviors, improved knowledge, or greater wellbeing. While there is general agreement that one of the outcomes of EE is environmental literacy, this outcome is quite broad and includes a variety of outcomes. The authors set out to use expertise from within EE to collectively define core outcomes and a brief synopsis of EE.

This study took place online and used an approach called a Delphi study. This kind of research involves multiple rounds of data collection and seeks to establish a group agreement to a set of statements. Researchers analyze the data between each round, then present it back to the group for further feedback. For this study, the authors selected and recruited a group of leaders involved with NAAEE, representatives from key organizations, academics, and practitioners. This study used three rounds of data collection; a total of 44 individuals participated in at least one round of data collection and 30 participated in all 3. Participants were mostly North American and majority white (7% nonwhite). To collect data, the researchers created a survey and a website to collect and share results. Each round of data collection is described below:

Round 1: The researchers distributed background information on definitions of EE and comments from attendees of NAAEE's Research Symposium on how they might describe the field of EE. After participants reviewed the provided information, the researchers collected responses from 39 participants to 30 open-ended survey questions. The survey asked for participants' perceptions of core outcomes and explain why they felt that outcome was core to EE. The researchers analyzed the data for themes and identified the 11 top outcomes.

Round 2: The researchers built a website and shared the 11 categories of outcomes. Alongside each outcome, they included the participants' responses to that outcome. Using a survey, a total of 38 participants ranked their top 5 outcomes and were asked to indicate their degree of agreement for whether that outcome was core to EE. They were also asked to explain their responses in an open-ended question. The authors analyzed the data for themes to identify the top 5 outcomes and preliminary synopsis of the field.

Round 3: To affirm their findings with the group, the researchers presented the results of Round 2 on a new website, which showed the top 5 outcomes and provided participants' reasons for why that outcome should be a priority. The website also presented the preliminary synopsis. A total of 39 participants indicated their level of agreement with each outcome and the synopsis on a 10-point scale (1=strongly disagree; 10=strongly agree). The researchers analyzed their data.

Overall, the researchers found strong agreement (8/10) on five core outcomes for the field. In order, participants indicated that the core outcomes for EE are:
“Environmentally related action and behavior change;
Connection to nature;
Improving the health of the environment;
Improving social and cultural aspects of the human experience;
Learning necessary skills and competencies necessary to engage win environmentally related decision-making and behaviors.”

The authors found that programs may support auxiliary outcomes, or those goals that support core outcomes. They emphasized that EE is a broad and diverse field, and that there are numerous ways to work towards achieving these core outcomes.

In addition, participants also expressed strong agreement for this synopsis of EE: “Environmental education works to move people to action for the tangible benefit of the environment and humanity. To realize these benefits, people must connect experientially with the environment, learn needed skills, and understand the complicated social and cultural connections between humanity and the natural environment.”

The authors emphasize that their findings are limited to this group of participants and that another study may have different results if conducted with another group or another location. In addition, the logistics of the study required time constraints, which may have constrained participation. In addition, while the authors attempted to invite a wide range of EE leaders, they also chose to bound the sample. Furthermore, their sample was highly homogenous demographically. Therefore, the views represented of this group may not accurately represent the field as a whole.

The authors recommend that these core outcomes be used to guide the development of programming. By achieving alignment on core outcomes, EE may better be able to describe and measure its impact, and particularly its collective impact, on those who participate.

The Bottom Line

<p>The authors of this study recruited leaders in environmental education (EE) to collectively describe core outcomes and a summary definition. Using an approach called a Delphi study, they achieved strong group consensus on five core outcomes and a definition for EE. They recommend that these outcomes be used to guide the development of programming so that EE can better determine its impact.</p>

Research Partner