How to Create Engaging Environmental Education Programs Using a Narrative, Storyline Approach

(Original date – February 22, 2011)

Presenter:  Alan Warner

Stories organize and provide meaning in our lives, yet educators typically teach through outcomes and activities. Young people become more engaged when they come to the learning context with a purpose or role that is meaningful to them, where they become the actors or leaders in a story (e.g., detectives, aliens, adventurers, entrepreneurs, teachers, leaders, etc.). This webinar presents the framework for a storyline/narrative approach to program design, enabling participants to apply the concepts and develop storyline ideas for their learners in their classroom, outdoor or community learning contexts. The result is adventurous, meaningful and engaged learning.

Age appropriateness:  Storyline program design really applies across all ages from 5 to 85. In his talk, Alan will use examples from grade 2 to adults. It is a philosophy and approach to designing curriculum, whatever the age.

Alan Warner has been designing, directing, and evaluating environmental education programs for more than 30 years with children and youth in Nova Scotia. He is known for creative and transformative program development and teaching, and received the Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication award for excellence in 2007. He is an associate professor at Acadia University in Wolfville Nova Scotia and teaches in Environmental and Sustainability Studies and Recreation Management and Community Development. He has written numerous articles and books on creative program development, and has been a frequent contributor to Green Teacher.