INTEGRATING ECO-PEDAGOGY AND GREEN TECHNOLOGIES TO TRANSFORM BIOLOGY TEACHER EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Abstract

The mounting environmental challenges which include climate change and
biodiversity loss have underscored the pressing need for innovative educational
practices that advance environmental understanding and sustainable living. Biology
education possesses an essential part in this activity, especially through the
advancement of future teachers who are prepared to instil values of environmental
responsibility. This paper examines the integration of eco-pedagogy and green
innovations as a synergistic approach to changing science educator instruction with
regard to sustainability. This paper scrutinises the potential of biology teacher
education programme in rebuilding sustainability through innovative educational
techniques such as inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, and open-air
instruction. The paper highlights the importance of green technologies such as
virtual laboratories, augmented reality applications, artificial intelligence tools and
environmentally sustainable laboratory practices in mitigating the ecological
footprints while enhancing pedagogical effectiveness. The paper addresses
insufficient infrastructure, teacher resistance, and administrative impediments as
some of the challenges of integrating eco-pedagogy and green technologies. It
concludes with key proposals for integrating sustainability into teacher education
programmes, arguing that the integration of eco-pedagogy with green innovations
presents a compelling road map for realising education for feasible improvement
and advancing worldwide targets such as SDG 4 (Quality Instruction) and SDG 13
(Climate Activity).