Toward a place-based learning progression for haze pollution in the northern region of Thailand
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Toward a place‑based learning progression for haze pollution in the northern region of Thailand Luecha Ladachart1 · Manus Poothawee2 · Ladapa Ladachart3 Received: 6 June 2018 / Accepted: 16 May 2020 © Springer Nature B.V. 2020
Abstract Haze pollution has been an annual environmental problem in the northern region of Thailand. The main causes include agricultural burning and wildfires that are enhanced by the high atmospheric pressure in a geographical plain encircled by mountains. Attempts have been made to address this problem, and place-based education is seen as crucial in this effort. Students are expected to understand and to engage in efforts to solve this problem in their living place. This research aims at developing a place-based learning progression on haze pollution for secondary students (grade 7–12) in Thailand. Fifty-five students in the seventh and 10th grades completed an open-ended questionnaire on haze pollution. The questions addressed the causes, processes, effects, and solutions. Subsequently, 17 students from the seventh through the 12th grades participated in semi-structured interviews, which required the use of abductive reasoning to offer explanations for the seasonal peak in haze in their region. Student responses were analyzed through an iterative process to determine their knowledge of the issue. The results provided data to develop a learning progression for haze pollution in the region, which can facilitate the design of a place-based curriculum and instruction on this topic. Keywords Environmental education · Haze pollution · Learning progression · Place-based education Northern Thailand is a region where people have lived with nature for centuries. The literal translation for its original name, Lan Na, is a million rice fields. As is suggested by the Lead Editor: G. Glasson. * Luecha Ladachart [email protected] Manus Poothawee [email protected] Ladapa Ladachart [email protected] 1
School of Education, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
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Demonstration School, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
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Faculty of Education, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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name, rice farming, in addition to the search for natural products in the forest, has historically been practiced by people living in this geographical environment, which includes basins surrounded by high mountains and weather conditions consisting of three seasons: rainy, winter, and summer. While there might be some variation, farmers typically start growing rice at the beginning of the rainy season (about mid-May) and harvest the crops in early winter (about mid-October). They then prepare the fields during the late winter and summer (January–March) for the next round of farming. While many traditions are still maintained, the region has attracted international tourists because of its unique natural landscape, cultural heritage, and local products. This is particularly true in big cities like Chiang Mai, which have developed a modern infrastructure. D
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