Title: E-learning as an effective modern method of building a sustainable society

Authors: Piotr Skubała; Eugenia Smyrnova-Trybulska

Addresses: Department of Ecology, University of Silesia, Bankowa 9, 40-007 Katowice, Poland ' Faculty of Ethnology and Sciences of Education in Cieszyn, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bielska 62, 43-400 Cieszyn, Poland

Abstract: A society that wishes to understand and overcome the present environmental crisis ought to change its perception of the environment and relationships with nature. E-learning has proved to be a strong and effective tool in modelling environmental consciousness and preparing today's society to live in a sustainable world. A successful example of the e-learning course entitled 'Philosophical and ethical aspects of environmental protection' developed at the University of Silesia is discussed in this article. Ten fundamental rules, implemented in the course, necessary to build environmentally thinking people are discussed. The concept of the distance learning course 'Information technology in teaching of ecology and environmental protection' is also presented. Teaching and learning, provided through a comprehensive, systematic use of ICT and e-learning can increase the quality of education in the field of ecology. These courses help to prepare students to become specialists, able to react and find solutions to arising environmental conflicts.

Keywords: environmental consciousness; sustainable society; e-learning; didactic methods; electronic learning; online learning; modelling; sustainability; sustainable development; philosophy; ethics; environmental protection; Poland; distance learning; distance education; information technology; ecology; ICT.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.2014.059335

International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 2014 Vol.24 No.1, pp.62 - 76

Published online: 24 May 2014 *

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