Creating web-based environmental education resources through community and university partnerships

Community groups often seek to engage with schools in promoting environmental education goals. A collaborative initiative is described in which university pre-service teacher education students were encouraged to create Web-based teaching and learning resources, related to rainforests and world heritage areas, for use at primary and secondary levels. The partnership between Southern Cross University and the Advisory Committees of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area took the form of a voluntary competition, which was integrated with students’ university assessment requirements. The factors that influenced students’ decisions to get involved were identified through telephone interviews. Insight was also gained into pre-service teachers’ understanding and willingness to engage in environmental education. The data was interpreted through the lens of participatory partnerships and incentives in environmental education. The study reveals implications for universities, professional associations and community organisations who may seek to similarly collaborate in educational resource development.