| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立臺中教育大學 === 幼兒教育學系碩士班 === 103 === The major purpose of this study is to investigate the environmental education programs and business models of ecological preschools in Taiwan. The methodology used was the qualitative research method, where purposive sampling was used to select five preschools as research subjects. Literature review, non-participant observation, in-depth interviews, document analysis, and photo documentation were employed to collect data regarding environmental education and business model of the target preschools. The triangulation method was applied for analysis of relevant data collected from March, 2014 to October, 2014.
The results of the study were as follows:
1.The current situation of ecological preschools:
i.Build a natural ecological learning environment: The preschools planned to incorporate planting zones, grass lawns, and vegetable gardens. All such natural resources would be properly designated by their name and respective locations.
ii.Initiate school-wide environmental education activities: Formulate green policies, including use of organic fertilizer and cleaning products, as well as planning of school-wide sustainability activities.
iii.Apply daily routines of environmental education activities: Each day, provide at least 60 minutes of outdoor ecological and environmental activity time, including events for hosting festivals relating to environmental education, and providing the tools and resources needed for a recycling area within the school.
iv.Core areas of environmental education courses include: An educational goal focused on the children’s learning abilities, social interaction, and environmental education; the use of age-grouping for the development of localized curriculum for each group; decorating and arrangement of the activity rooms and public areas for environmental education; and holding teaching conferences and publications regularly.
v.Environmental education and related resources: Proactively connect with locals and their resources.
2.The business model of ecological preschools include the concepts of:
i.Core strategies: Education principles consist of humanistic, holistic, and open and natural education. The target preschools are located in cultural and residential areas.
ii.Customer interface: A multifaceted approach to maintaining parent-teacher relationships that involves establishing a parent-led learning organization. Cross-industry cooperation allows for lowered cost structures. Use of the preschool designation, business model, specialized curriculum, and parent-led organizations for promotion of the education quality of the target preschools.
iii.Strategic resources: The organizational administration shares the teachers’ administration duties. Merging of resources from both within and outside the school for the in-service education of teachers, caring management values, incentive programs, and online platforms all help achieve effective management of all administrative affairs.
iv.Value network: Suppliers provide sustainable building materials, teaching materials, and food ingredients. Parents, community resources, industry experts, scholars or professors are actively sought as educational partners for the target preschools, as well as proactive participation in professional educator organizations.
The results of this study could serve as reference for educational authorities, early childhood teacher education institutions, preschool management personnel, preschool educators, parents, and future research.
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