Towards a model of plant awareness in education: a literature review and framework proposal
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The inattention to plants, known as 'plant blindness' or 'plant awareness disparity', is an established concern amongst biologists and educational practitioners alike.Many studies have called for a teaching and learning reform in botany, but there has been no thorough or critical examination of the pedagogic literature to date, an issue which this narrative review of studies (1998-2022) seeks to address.We use a framework based on theories of perceptual attention, interest, and attitude formation to derive novel insights about increasing plant awareness in education.Data were extracted using a suite of search terms, characterised using key words and subjected to a thematic content analysis, with 113 studies shortlisted for review.The dominant teaching and learning approaches were identification keys, laboratory investigations and discussion-based approaches.Educational interventions were found to increase plant awareness by providing memorable and meaningful first-hand encounters with plants and generating positive affect.We present a theoretical model based on these findings and discuss the implications for biology education.
Institutions: University of Exeter, University College London
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4396656709