As implied by the five-step process introduced in the previous lesson, teaching environmental issues involves a range of skills on the part of the instructor (e.g. facilitation skills), as well as the problem solving and communication skills that you want to model for the learner.

Reading Assignment: What Skills?

Read the summary of key skills needed by environmental problem solvers in the "Skills For Addressing Environmental Issues" part of the reading.  As you read, consider what criteria you use to decide if you are successful in using or teaching these skills?  For which skills might you want more guidance, practice, and experience?

Assignment #5:  A Personal Assessment of My Problem Solving Skills

Pretend that you are your own personal trainer for problem-solving skills who must submit a report card of your individual performance in problem-solving. Then, on the discussion board:

(1)  using either the four general categories outlined in the reading, or generating your own prioritized categories -- list the criteria or specific skills in each category that you most need to master in your current position, or that you consider most important in problem-solving;

(2)  assign yourself a grade (use a simple A-F grading scale) for each criteria;

(3)  in each category, make a brief assessment of how you could improve your performance, and/or suggest some simple exercises you could use to practice the skill in spontaneous or informal settings. 

Institute Discussion Board