Title: Citizen science co-constructed educational practices: a teacher training course

Authors: Manuel J. de S. Santos; Vânia Carlos; António A. Moreira

Addresses: Department of Education and Psychology, Research Center on Didactics and Technology for the Training of Educators, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal ' Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal ' Department of Education and Psychology, Research Center on Didactics and Technology for the Training of Educators, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal

Abstract: This paper presents the design of citizen science learning materials, emphasising the co-construction of knowledge. Using a design-based research methodology, we aimed to develop citizen science strategies that foster students' participatory citizenship. The study involved a teacher co-creation training course supported by a smart educational community and a network of community stakeholders, before and during the COVID-19 lockdown, in a secondary school of Aveiro, Portugal. A detailed description of the training course and its implementation is provided. Data collected by two surveys and a teacher self-awareness reflection is presented and discussed. During the study students did data gathering tasks, overcoming the formal/informal divide in learning, using participatory citizenship strategies, and learning guidelines. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of the co-construction process in developing citizen science learning materials, fostering citizenship engagement and collective awareness, creating a range of learning opportunities for students connected to their local context and promoting active citizenship.

Keywords: learning guidelines; citizen science; teacher professional development; civic co-creation; participatory data collection; citizenship engagement; collective awareness; COVID-19.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLT.2025.146790

International Journal of Learning Technology, 2025 Vol.20 No.2, pp.115 - 165

Received: 16 Apr 2023
Accepted: 07 Sep 2023
Published online: 18 Jun 2025 *

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