Papers by Benjamin Damoah
International journal of educational research, 2024
An integrated environmental education curriculum has proven to be a highly effective approach in ... more An integrated environmental education curriculum has proven to be a highly effective approach in cultivating students’ knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values that are essential to becoming responsible and engaged citizens who are cognizant of their impact on the environment. The inclusion of environmental education in the school curriculum is a strategic means of fostering a generation of environmentally conscious citizens who are committed to protecting and conserving the environment. By doing so, a wider awareness and appreciation of environmental issues can be instilled in students, paving the way for them to become agents of change for a sustainable future. This qualitative interpretivism study employed semi-structured interviews to purposefully seek the view of ten school principals on the pathways of incorporating environ- mental education into the school curriculum, hinged on phenomenological design to understand the lived experiences of respondents. The study’s findings indicate the presence of Environmental Education themes across various aspects of the educational system, including textbooks, extra- curricular activities, school code of conduct, and classroom teaching and learning. However, the curriculum does not command a uniform teaching technique to incorporate Environmental Ed- ucation into classroom teaching and learning, leading to a hybrid teaching strategy adopted by most teachers. The selection of Environmental Education content to teach in class is based on the teachers’ personal experience and the learners’ interests. Regrettably, the integration of Envi- ronmental Education into teaching and learning is limited, and both teachers’ and learners’ perceptions and understanding of it are uninspiring. The study highlights the need for a more structured approach to incorporate EE into the curriculum to ensure its effective integration into the educational system. This approach would help to address the limited understanding and perceptions of both teachers and learners and ensure a more comprehensive and engaging learning experience.
Environmental Science and Sustainable Development, Sep 29, 2023
Many Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have implemented measures to enhance their sustainabili... more Many Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have implemented measures to enhance their sustainability efforts, such as integrating student-led organizations, research and innovation centers, and eco-friendly campus projects. In a unified effort to achieve SDG4, universities are collaborating to align their initiatives with the Sustainable Development Goals. Incorporating these goals into the academic curricula and exploring SDG-related themes are crucial steps in this process. The global community is faced with environmental threats due to climate change. The problematic process of societal transformation involved in responding to climate change. Reviving climate change education in educational institutions can provide a strong impetus for societal change. Future leaders, professionals, and citizens are significantly shaped by the knowledge, attitudes, and abilities they acquire in universities. This paper thematically reviewed relevant literature which then sought to unpack strategies employed by universities to advance climate change education. Transformational paradigm and social change (structural-functional) theory are the underlying philosophical view for this paper. Curriculum integration, a holistic approach, experiential learning, community engagement, faculty development, campus sustainability, policy advocacy, developing student leadership, partnerships, and collaborations are some approaches to reviving climate change education that came to light from the paper. By implementing these approaches, universities may position themselves as hubs for climate change education, research, and action, raising a generation of conscious, involved, and equipped individuals ready to lead societal transformation in the direction of a sustainable future.
Prizren social science journal, Dec 30, 2023
Ecohumanism, 2024
The Gulf Coast of the United States is increasingly at risk from the impacts of climate change, e... more The Gulf Coast of the United States is increasingly at risk from the impacts of climate change, exacerbated by various human-induced factors. This review paper examined how human activities have worsened the effects of climate change in this region from 2005 to 2024, which is already vulnerable to hurricanes, sea-level rise, and coastal erosion. Key factors include intensive industrial operations, such as oil and gas production, which release significant amounts of greenhouse gases and disrupt the natural landscape, leading to land subsidence and weakening coastal defenses. Urbanization and population growth have resulted in the loss of valuable wetlands and other natural buffers that mitigate flooding and storm surges. Alterations to river systems for flood control and navigation have reduced sediment deposition; thereby affecting the preservation of coastal landforms. Agricultural practices in the region also play a key role; fertilizer and pesticide runoff contaminate waterways and create hypoxic zones, negatively impacting fisheries and marine habitats. This paper emphasizes the need for impactful policy interventions and sustainable behaviors to address these human-induced pressures. The paper also advocates a comprehensive mitigation strategy including stricter emission controls, financial support for renewable energy sources, habitat restoration, and improved urban planning to enhance climate change resilience. After conducting a thorough review, we have discovered that the Gulf Coast region has experienced over fifteen deadly hurricanes over the past twenty years alone and is poised to confront increasingly complex environmental and socioeconomic challenges if viable solutions are not implemented. These issues can potentially jeopardize the livelihoods of the region's inhabitants and the health of its diverse ecosystems.
SOCIAL SCIENCES AND EDUCATION RESEARCH REVIEW, 2024
The issue of high school dropout rate is a growing concern largely affecting 'brown skin' or mino... more The issue of high school dropout rate is a growing concern largely affecting 'brown skin' or minority individuals in the United States. In addition to studies indicating the negative outcomes associated with high school dropouts, research is needed to better understand contributing factors and policies effective for preventing high school dropouts. The purpose of this study is to examine the primary reasons students become less engaged in education resulting in increased high school dropouts, collect data that report variables associated with student dropout among minority individuals, and provide policies or program initiatives that are effective in reducing dropout rates. An in-depth quantitative study was conducted using a survey method to assess and understand reasons for high school dropout rates among 'brown skin' individuals. Specifically, a total of 17 respondents consisting of high school administrators and educators consented and submitted the questionnaire. Findings suggested that students' motivation for determining dropping out or retention was contingent on familial involvement, community resources, enacted school programs or activities, and established policies in further supporting student development in and outside the classroom. Further research could outline community-based partnerships for the intended school that configure job placement, literacy courses, familial involvement, and services.
SOCIAL SCIENCES AND EDUCATION RESEARCH REVIEW, 2024
This literature review paper sheds light on the systemic deficiencies, complexities, and untold s... more This literature review paper sheds light on the systemic deficiencies, complexities, and untold stories in the public school system in the United States. It reveals that despite being an advanced democracy and a first-world country, the US education system still faces issues that hinder its developmental trajectory. Surprisingly, the uncertainties unmasked in the US education system are not far-fetched from the experiences that persist in developing countries. The paper is thought-provoking and raises important questions about the state of education in the modern world. As a result, relevant literature was thematically reviewed on systemic disparities that hinder the growth and development of education. The findings of the paper among others discussed issues that include the quantification of educational outcomes, systemic inequality, and segregation, school funding, differential access to infrastructure resources, as well as teachers' competencies and retention. Addressing the complexities and uncertainties of public education requires a multi-faceted approach involving policymakers, educators, parents, and communities to ensure equity and efficacy.
International Journal of Environmental, Sustainability, and Social Science
Global climate and environmental protests are a widespread movement that aims to draw attention t... more Global climate and environmental protests are a widespread movement that aims to draw attention to the urgent need for action on climate change and environmental issues. The movement has gained momentum in recent years, as people around the world have become increasingly aware of the devastating effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels, more frequent and severe natural disasters, and loss of biodiversity. This paper is theoretically grounded on social movement theory which navigated through several climate protests witnessed in recent times, particularly in sub-Sahara Africa. More than 7 million young people gather in cities throughout the globe in protest of the lack of action by world leaders to stop the severe effects of climate change and its accelerating rate. To put pressure on world leaders to act, Greta Thunberg, a Swedish climate activist, and others call on students to leave their classes on Fridays to protest the unending climate crises. These campaigns have ...
International Journal of Environmental, Sustainability, and Social Science
Climate change education refers to the process of educating people about the causes, effects, and... more Climate change education refers to the process of educating people about the causes, effects, and solutions to climate change. It is a critical component of efforts to address the global climate crisis, as it helps individuals understand the need for action and empowers them to make informed decisions in their personal and professional lives. The paper argued that drastic measures are required to reduce climate change threats, which is a visible adversary that demands the same emergency reaction as the COVID-19 pandemic. Education is considered a response to rising worldwide environmental concerns in the twenty-first century. The world's environmental issues necessitate immediate attention to climate change education. This paper is based on the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory lensed with a transformative paradigm. It explores the present inherent global risk to human health and environmental well-being, as well as its implications for future natural disasters. As a result, ...
International Journal of Environmental, Sustainability, and Social Science
South Africa has been repeatedly ranked as one of the world's most dangerous countries due to... more South Africa has been repeatedly ranked as one of the world's most dangerous countries due to its high level of violence. The country is currently facing a surge of violent protests, which is largely due to a lack of service delivery in communities. The frustration of citizens with the government's unfulfilled promises is a common reason for such protests. University students are also not immune to such violent protests, which often disrupt academic activities. These protests lead to injuries and damage to government buildings, causing harm to both the community and institutions. Additionally, violent protests have disastrous environmental repercussions affecting air quality, aquatic and marine ecosystems. To address this issue, the study suggests that environmental education should be intensified to sensitize the public about the effects of violent protests on the environment. Using the theoretical lens of frustration-aggression theory, the study explored the effects of vio...
This study focuses on the integration of environmental education into other subjects in the schoo... more This study focuses on the integration of environmental education into other subjects in the school curriculum. The study critically examine challenges faced by various subject teachers in the process of teaching environmental education as an integrated component in their subject areas. The role of teachers in the implementation of environmental education in developing an environmentally literate citizenry is of great significance. It was recommended among others that, the government should develop curriculum with clear goals and content with specific guideline which shall develop teachers’ capacity in the teaching of environmental education. Successful implementation of any educational policy, largely depends on teacher’s competencies. Therefore all necessary steps should be taken to address challenges confronting teachers in the implementation of EE as an integrated component. KEY TERMS: Environmental education, integration, curriculum
International Journal of Educational Research Open
In recent years, environmental issues have dominated the global conversation. This has necessitat... more In recent years, environmental issues have dominated the global conversation. This has necessitated the inclusion of environmental content in educational curricula. The effectiveness and potency of educational initiatives are heavily reliant on their design. As a result, the purpose of this empirical study is to identify the elements that determine the efficacy of environmental education policy. The study's philosophical perspective was founded on policy cycle theory. A mixed-methods approach was used in the study. The study used a pragmatist paradigm and triangulation strategy to explore the opinion of 175 teachers and personal experience of 10 principals from Buffalo City Metro Education District. Descriptive statistics was used to harness quantitative data. Implementation of Environmental Education Questionnaire (IEEPQ), and semi-structured interview were used to collect data from 185 respondents. The findings revealed, amongst other things, that there is no practical and structured policy design for Environmental Education (EE) in schools, that few schools have school-level environmental education policies supported by the School Governing Body (SGB), and that teachers and principals do not understand the policy objective of environmental education as stated in the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) document due to its obscurity. The study concludes that the phenomenal aspects that determine good environmental education policies are seldom present in school curricula. It was suggested that the broad goal of environmental education in the CAPS document be realigned to specifics rather than generality, and the Department of Basic Education should establish an environmental education directorate with a defined responsibility to develop environmental education policy documents, assess, and monitor their implementation.
Elsevier, 2024
An integrated environmental education curriculum has proven to be a highly effective approach in ... more An integrated environmental education curriculum has proven to be a highly effective approach in cultivating students’ knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values that are essential to becoming responsible and engaged citizens who are cognizant of their impact on the environment. The inclusion of environmental education in the school curriculum is a strategic means of fostering a generation of environmentally conscious citizens who are committed to protecting and conserving the environment. By doing so, a wider awareness and appreciation of environmental issues can be instilled in students, paving the way for them to become agents of change for a sustainable future. This qualitative interpretivism study employed semi-structured interviews to purposefully seek the view of ten school principals on the pathways of incorporating environ- mental education into the school curriculum, hinged on phenomenological design to understand the lived experiences of respondents. The study’s findings indicate the presence of Environmental Education themes across various aspects of the educational system, including textbooks, extra- curricular activities, school code of conduct, and classroom teaching and learning. However, the curriculum does not command a uniform teaching technique to incorporate Environmental Ed- ucation into classroom teaching and learning, leading to a hybrid teaching strategy adopted by most teachers. The selection of Environmental Education content to teach in class is based on the teachers’ personal experience and the learners’ interests. Regrettably, the integration of Envi- ronmental Education into teaching and learning is limited, and both teachers’ and learners’ perceptions and understanding of it are uninspiring. The study highlights the need for a more structured approach to incorporate EE into the curriculum to ensure its effective integration into the educational system. This approach would help to address the limited understanding and perceptions of both teachers and learners and ensure a more comprehensive and engaging learning experience.
International Journal of Environmental,Sustainability and Social Science, 2023
Global climate and environmental protests are a widespread movement that aims to draw attention t... more Global climate and environmental protests are a widespread movement that aims to draw attention to the urgent need for action on climate change and environmental issues. The movement has gained momentum in recent years as people worldwide have become increasingly aware of the devastating effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels, more frequent and severe natural disasters, and loss of biodiversity. This paper is theoretically grounded on social movement theory which navigated through several climate protests witnessed in recent times, particularly in sub-Sahara Africa. More than 7 million young people gather in cities throughout the globe in protest of the lack of action by world leaders to stop the severe effects of climate change and its accelerating rate. Greta Thunberg, a Swedish climate activist, and others call on students to leave their classes on Fridays to protest the unending climate crises to pressure world leaders to act. These campaigns have led to growing environmental activism as more young people are becoming aware of the devastating impact of climate change on their daily lives. It was discovered that; Students have been actively involved in several climate protests defying the institution's authorities to protest for a change in the global conversation amid a series of rhetoric and indecision from world leaders. The paper has unearthed that climate activism has yielded positive outcomes, bringing transformation into global discourse in pursuit of strategic measures to address climate and environmental crises.
JJournal for Educators,Teachers and Trainers, 2024
The importance of mentor teachers in assisting preservice teachers in their transition into the t... more The importance of mentor teachers in assisting preservice teachers in their transition into the teaching profession has increased significantly over time. Mentor teachers' practical experience in the classroom is highly valued as it complements the theoretical knowledge that trainees acquire. This paper discusses the constructivism theory and Hudson's five-factor model, which includes personal attributes, system requirements, pedagogical knowledge, modeling, and feedback. The paper explores the role of mentor teachers, the characteristics of constructivist mentors, challenges that mentors face, and ways to improve mentorship to develop preservice teachers' professional competencies during their teaching practice. The recommended strategies include classroom observation, professional learning communities, reflection, technology integration, and field experience, among others. Constructivist theory is a valuable addition to field experience models as it enables mentors to build on the mentee's previous knowledge to assist in their acquisition of the necessary knowledge and skills to teach.
The importance of mentor teachers in assisting preservice teachers in their transition into the t... more The importance of mentor teachers in assisting preservice teachers in their transition into the teaching profession has increased significantly over time. Mentor teachers' practical experience in the classroom is highly valued as it complements the theoretical knowledge that trainees acquire. This paper discusses the constructivism theory and Hudson's five-factor model, which includes personal attributes, system requirements, pedagogical knowledge, modeling, and feedback. The paper explores the role of mentor teachers, the characteristics of constructivist mentors, challenges that mentors face, and ways to improve mentorship to develop preservice teachers' professional competencies during their teaching practice. The recommended strategies include classroom observation, professional learning communities, reflection, technology integration, and field experience, among others. Constructivist theory is a valuable addition to field experience models as it enables mentors to build on the mentee's previous knowledge to assist in their acquisition of the necessary knowledge and skills to teach.
Research in social sciences and technology, Oct 14, 2022
Environmental education (EE) is an integrated component of the South African Curriculum and Asses... more Environmental education (EE) is an integrated component of the South African Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) document. Pro-EE civil society organisations are actively involved in the implementation of EE policies in schools. The roles played by civil society organisations contribute to the trajectory of practical environmental programmes. This study adopted an interpretive paradigm, a qualitative approach, and a phenomenological design anchored on Bronfenbrenner's philosophical view of human development. One Pro-EE civil society organisation and two respondents were purposefully sampled. Semi-structured interviews and documents were tools employed to collect qualitative data and results were analysed thematically. The study revealed that Pro-EE civil society organisations play a pivotal role which includes; equipping learners to live sustainably, teachers' professional development, and policy formulation. The study recommended that the South School Act be amended to make EE policy mandatory. The department of basic education (DBE) should provide sufficient resources to Pro-EE civil society organisations to expand Eco-Schools project-based initiatives in schools regardless of the geographical location.
Research in Social Sciences and Technology
Environmental education (EE) is an integrated component of the South African Curriculum and Asses... more Environmental education (EE) is an integrated component of the South African Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) document. Pro-EE civil society organisations are actively involved in the implementation of EE policies in schools. The roles played by civil society organisations contribute to the trajectory of practical environmental programmes. This study adopted an interpretive paradigm, a qualitative approach, and a phenomenological design anchored on Bronfenbrenner's philosophical view of human development. One Pro-EE civil society organisation and two respondents were purposefully sampled. Semi-structured interviews and documents were tools employed to collect qualitative data and results were analysed thematically. The study revealed that Pro-EE civil society organisations play a pivotal role which includes; equipping learners to live sustainably, teachers’ professional development, policy formulation, and implementation that actualizes the CAPS document's o...
The study focuses on teacher’s awareness of the integrated environmental education curriculum as ... more The study focuses on teacher’s awareness of the integrated environmental education curriculum as prescribed in the current curriculum and assessment policy statement (CAPS) document in South Africa. The study examines challenges confronting teachers in the process of integrating environmental education into their respective subject areas of speciality. The role of teachers in the implementation of environmental education in developing an environmentally literate citizenry is of great significance. It was recommended among others that; the government should develop curriculum with clear goals and content with specific guideline which shall develop teachers’ capacity in the teaching of environmental education. Successful implementation of any educational policy, largely depends on teacher’s competencies. The findings suggest that, department of basic education should appoint subject advisors to equip and resource teachers in order to implement EE integration successfully. The study fu...
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Papers by Benjamin Damoah