Education Commons^™

Assessment Of Library Instruction At The University Of St. Augustine: A Mixed-Methods Analysis, Julie Evener

Education Collection

Evaluation of library instruction (LI) at the University of St. Augustine found that students did well on assignments tied to LI and were more likely to participate in LI when it was required. Incorporating data points into the library’s overall assessment and strategic plan allowed for ongoing assessment of LI.

Increasing Student Engagement Through Animal Welfare Education And Service, Stephanie Itle-Clark

Education Collection

Student engagement is for the most part driven by three factors, “underlying need for competence, the extent to which students experience membership in the school, and the authenticity” of the task they are given. Animal welfare education and correlated service‐learning can address all three of these factors. In addition, for the many students who have traditionally written‐off school and school sponsored functions, personal and authentic learning can assist in rebuilding trust in the educational system. Authentic learning built around animal welfare education and animal welfare topics that impact the real world or personal neighborhoods of students encourages brain growth and …

The Effects Of A Summer Camp Program In China On Children’S Knowledge, Attitudes, And Behaviors Toward Animals: A Model For Conservation Education, Sarah M. Bexell, Olga S. Jarrett, Xu Ping

Education Collection

This summative evaluation, conducted in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, studied whether participation in a conservation education camp positively changed 8–12-year-old children’s (a) knowledge of how to protect animals, (b) care about animals, (c) propensity for environmental and wildlife stewardship, and (d) compassionate behavior toward animals and nature. Influenced by conservation psychology, social learning theory, empathy and moral development, constructivism, and conservation biology, 5-day overnight camps were conducted at 2 zoological institutions. Activities were designed to help children form bonds with animals and care enough to positively change their behavior toward animals and nature. Mixed methods, using pre- and post-visit surveys, …

Humane Literacy And Formal Educators, Stephanie Itle-Clark

Education Collection

Formal educators (those with formal education degrees versus informal educators who may work in shelters or nature centers) in the K-12 system are tasked with facilitating academic, character, and social and emotional learning in the classroom. As part of this learning, the teaching of critical thinking revolving around and reinforcement of “kindness . . . care and compassion towards” people, animals, and the environment and the interconnection among the three can work to prevent needless suffering and create community building attitudes (Selby, 1995, p. 7). Based upon knowledge of state mandates involving humane education, the Humane Literacy Coalition (HLC) was …

Animals & Society Courses: A Growing Trend In Post-Secondary Education, Jonathan Balcombe

Education Collection

A survey of college courses addressing nonhuman animal ethics and welfare issues indicates that the presence of such courses has increased greatly since a prior survey was done in 1983. This paper provides titles and affiliations of 67 of 89 courses from the current Survey. These courses represent 15 academic fields, and a majority are entirely devoted to animal issues. The fields of animal science and philosophy are proportionally well represented compared with biology and wildlife-related fields. An estimated 5000 or more North American students are now receiving instruction in these issues each year. While the availability of courses in …

Learning From Animals: Models For Studying Physiology And Disease, W. Jean Dodds

Education Collection

Animals can serve as valuable educational tools for elementary and high school students. By teaching young people reverence for all forms of life at an early age, it is possible to instill in them a proper perspective concerning the welfare and humane stewardship of animals. Exemplary subjects include the various aspects of evolutionary and embryological development; normal physiological processes, the mechanisms and pathology of naturally occurring infectious, metabolic, genetic and neoplastic diseases and aging; and an appreciation of the inevitability of death. Such studies can serve as learning models for students because these processes parallel or closely resemble those of …

Understanding And Attitudes Derived From The Use Of Animals In Schools, Peter J. Kelly

Education Collection

A general review of the variety of activities involving the direct use of animals which are undertaken in secondary schools. An assessment is made of their value (positive and negative) in terms of knowledge and attitudes (including ethics) which are, or might be, derived from them. Alternative methods also are reviewed with an assessment of their value in relation to live animal studies.

The National Humane Education Center And The Welfare Of Animals, Mel L. Morse

Education Collection

The role of all humane organizations is the prevention of cruelty and, in order to do this, we must be prepared to show a better way. We cannot stand back saying "no" or "you can't do that" unless we are prepared to show why. We must understand that cruelty is not always a sadistic act and one whose perpetrator needs the attention of a psychiatrist. I am sure that there are many cruelty cases that should be handled in such a manner, but not very many of them get or deserve this distinction. Usually we move to correct the problem …

Humane Education Programs For Local Societies, Frank J. Mcmahon

Education Collection

Although definitely I am not an educator, I believe that I still may be able to report usefully this afternoon some of what is being done in the field of humane education by some of our best local humane societies.

In the years that I have worked in and for The HSUS I have visited several hundred local humane societies-big and little, good and not so good, new and old, rich and poor, in all parts of the country. I have spent many days on analysis of the philosophy, policies, equipment, programs and personnel of those societies.

When I visit …