Dr. Clifford E. Knapp
Keynote: Place-based Education: Progressive Education Re-visited?
Abstract: The keynote address will examine the progressive education movement as it is described in the educational literature. We will briefly examine the historical development of various school programs focusing on connecting pupils to the local community. Through this lens, we will attempt to gain a greater understanding of place-based education practice today.
Biography:
Clifford Knapp is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Teaching and Learning (Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois). He retired in 2001 after teaching there for 21 years. He was on the faculty of Outdoor Teacher Education and taught courses in outdoor/environmental education and general education. He also taught at Southern Illinois University for eight years in the field of outdoor education. He has taught at all levels of education in public and private schools for 9 ½ years.
Dr Peter Martin
Keynote: Human nature relationships?
Abstract: Our ancestors would be amused, if not shocked by the thought that we should educate our children on how to better relate to the natural world. A life in and with nature was the norm for humanity for thousands of years, yet in recent generations we have lost touch with the natural world and our tenure on this Earth is now in question. How do relationships with nature develop? How might such relationships be incorporated in education and why might they be worth considering? In this presentation I will seek to discuss these three important questions. I will explore the language of human nature relationships as a means to equip us with the capacity to analyse how human nature relationships have changed over time. I will consider contemporary research and writing that attempts to detail how relationships with nature can either prosper or atrophy. Such work enables us to begin to build a pedagogy for human nature relationship. Finally I will consider the implications of human nature relationship development for both education and our everyday living. I will draw on some examples from Australian educational practices to illustrate how some of these concepts are being operationalised in innovative educational settings and conclude with a brief look at changing social and cultural aspects of a contemporary environmental wave.
Biography:
Dr Peter Martin is an adjunct of La Trobe University’s Centre for Excellence in Outdoor and Environmental Education.
Dr Martin retired from La Trobe in January of 2009, after 24 years of tertiary education, the last seven as head of outdoor education. Over his tertiary career he has developed and written degree courses in Outdoor Education and Physical Education, a Post Graduate coursework program in Outdoor Education, devised and taught a wide range of university units, including Ways of Knowing Nature, Worldviews and the Environment, as well as continued to teach practical outdoor courses in a range of outdoor pursuits. Prior to his university work, he taught in residential outdoor education centres and in Secondary schools in Victoria.
Yap Kheng Guan
Keynote: From Scarcity to Sustainability – Singapore’s Water Story
Abstract:
Singapore has come a long way in water management in just over four decades to overcome water shortages, flooding and pollution in its rivers in the 1960s and 1970s. Forward planning, careful management of water resources, and adequate investment in infrastructure and effective technology have been critical in propelling Singapore towards global hydrohub status.
Today, the nation has built a robust, diversified and sustainable water supply from four different sources known as the Four National Taps (water from local catchment areas, imported water, reclaimed water known as NEWater and desalinated water).
Vilma D'Rozario
Keynote: Connecting Teachers with Community in Initial Teacher Preparation in Singapore.
Biography
Vilma D'Rozario is Sub-Dean of Student Counselling and Liaison and Associate Professor with the Psychological Studies Academic Group at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University. She is part of the team which implements service-learning for all student teachers at the Institute. She also teaches pre-service counselling and graduate group counselling courses. Her research interests include service-learning, master therapists, group counselling and multicultural counselling. She is also actively involved in student life on campus as adviser to student clubs. She volunteers extensively in environmental and wildlife conservation projects in Singapore.
