Place-based education : educator perspectives on a critical pedagogy
(Book - Regular Print, Online Content)

ProQuest Document ID: 1797427420.

Advisor: Loren Thomas.

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts from Prescott College.

M.A.,Prescott College,2016.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 86-90).

"As education evolves in the 21st century and students learn to develop knowledge from the ground up, educators step into the role of facilitator. Critical to this paradigm shift is a connection with places that develops knowledge from local experiences into broad global understanding. This thesis explores the literature on how people develop a connection with place, the importance of learning about the world through appropriate developmental stages, and the relevance of place-based education as part of learning in the 21st century. Through qualitative research methods--including surveys, interviews, and focus groups--this thesis demonstrates the ways in which educators in an elementary school in Albuquerque, New Mexico develop a personal sense of place. It also asks how an educator's understanding of place is integrated into her or his teaching practices and addresses where there is room for place-based education principles in a wide range of classrooms. The findings of this study suggest that through relationships to place and people, young learners can develop a sense of belonging that drives a love of and responsibility for places on both local and global scales."--leaf 6.

Also available in an electronic form.