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Applying ESA’s 4DEE framework to guide the development of ecological literacy for non-majors

Author(s): Vikki L Rodgers

Babson College

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Summary:
The Four-Dimensional Ecological Education (4DEE) framework, endorsed by the ESA Governing Board in November 2018, is the culmination of 30 years of work by the ecology community to clearly define ecological literacy. This poster identifies the parts…

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The Four-Dimensional Ecological Education (4DEE) framework, endorsed by the ESA Governing Board in November 2018, is the culmination of 30 years of work by the ecology community to clearly define ecological literacy. This poster identifies the parts most important for the non-major audience, and provides specific examples of integrating multiple dimensions within the context of real‐world challenges. Here we propose three scales for incorporating 4DEE: (1) a lesson, (2) a module or project, and (3) an entire course syllabus. A lesson is designed by adding one or more practice and explicit attention to one cross-cutting theme to a topic that involves both a core ecology concept and a human-environment interaction idea. A module or project includes several practices and cross-cutting concepts that are woven into solving a real-world problem. A non-majors course syllabus addresses specific learning objectives for the key elements and all of the practices and cross-cutting ideas, as well as an appropriate subset of the core ecology and human-environment concepts.