All Ireland Society for Higher Education
| Name: | Helen Maguire |
|---|---|
| Email: | hmaguire@stacs.edu.ie |
| Institution: | Ubuntu group |
Mc Cloat, Amanda amccloat@stacs.edu.ie
Promoting ethical consumerism among pre service Home Economics teachers through the use of a cross curricular educational intervention in order to develop the attitudes, knowledge and intended behaviour ensuring students experience a holistic perspective on consumerism.
Helen Maguire, Amanda Mc Cloat. Home Economics Department, St. Angela's College, Lough Gill, Sligo. hmaguire@stacs.edu.ie, amccloat@stacs.edu.ie
Sustainability is one of the most profound issues facing our time. On a global scale, international governments, businesses and organisations are becomingly increasingly active in relation to environmental and social responsibility. Information and education has an important role to play in fuelling improved consumer habits. The UN declaration of a decade of Education for Sustainable Development in 2005 underlines the importance of increasing consumer knowledge, attitudes and behaviour.
This project carried out in St. Angela's College, Sligo aims to develop the attitudes, knowledge and intended behaviour on ethical consumerism among pre service Home Economics teachers. This research involves engaging students in critical thinking in relation to ethical consumerism. It is hoped that this research will have a positive influence on the intended behaviour and future practice of Home Economics teachers in relation to ethical consumerism. The project is funded by the Ubuntu Network and Irish Aid.
Data was collected to ascertain the attitude, knowledge, and behavioural patterns of pre service Home Economics teachers in relation to ethical consumerism. The data was analysed and employed to support the development of an educational intervention strategy. This educational intervention is being delivered to pre service Home Economics teachers in St. Angela's College, Sligo in the academic year 2006/2007. Results and analysis will be available in June 2007.