Finnish pre- and in-service teachers’ conceptions, values and teaching practices in health and environmental education

Abstract

Health and environmental education in Finnish schools is guided firstly by the national core curriculum and secondly by the individual curricula in each school. However, teaching practices are influenced to some extent also by teachers’ own conceptions and systems of values. The aim of the study was to examine Finnish pre- and in-service teachers’ conceptions, values and experiences concerning health and environmental education. Respondents (n=312) comprised of pre-service teachers (52 %), in-service teachers (37 %), and other teachers and students in Biology, Home Economics, and Finnish language (11 %). Respondents regarded health and environmental education important. Their principal goal in education was rather to have an effect on pupils’ behaviour than to provide scientific knowledge of health. Constant lack of time as well as inadequate training and material were most often cited as obstacles in teaching health education. Teachers in general had a positive attitude towards environment, although biologists seemed more environmentally-oriented compared to other teachers.