Investigating Nature Course Survey Spring 2010 (2104) course survey: 8 respondents course survey: 6 respondents Rankings Pre Post (1-5) (mean) (mean) 1. How important is it that we protect our environment? 4.5 4.83 (on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest priority and 1 the lowest) Protecting, maybe letting go naturally? This isn t solely our environment. We share it with every other living being. The environment should be one of our highest priorities because the well-being of all things on Earth depends on the environment and its well-being. We live in our environment; it should be a major focus for everyone. I think it is very important to protect the environment because we rely on the environment for our own survival. Protecting the environment is protecting ourselves. We get many things from our environment, most importantly oxygen, water, and food, so it is important that we protect nature so that we can get the things we need and continue to live. Our environment through evolution actually has good defense mechanisms, rather that we protecting the environment we need to protect it from ourselves. If we don t protect it now, we could damage it for further generations. It is very important to protect the environment to the highest point that is practical. We need the environment around us to survive. If we don t protect it and respect it, we will have a very hard time furthering our species. It is extremely important for us to protect the environment because it supports all living things, and, if we want o tenure that future generations have the opportunity to enjoy a healthy, supportive environment, we need to protect it now. There are many things that we should be worried about in this world, such as national security, how we are raising our children, and what the future of the world will hold. All of these things will be directly affected by the way we choose to treat our environment. If we decide not to protect our environment our world will turn into a much different place that someday may not even be sustainable by life any form. The environment is very important to us because it provides many of the essentials that we need to live, such as water and oxygen. We need to protect the environment so that we can continue to live. I really liked Vince s philosophic ideas in his presentation in that because we have the potential to destroy the earth and environment, we have an obligation to protect it. 2. What is the value of nature writing, that is, writing about nature for lay readers? (on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 = of great value and 1 = of little value) 4.0625 4.167 Again, I m being picky with words. I don t think their [sic] is writing that isn t about nature. Writing about nature is important in order to get more people to appreciate or even help protect nature. I don t have much experience with nature writing, but I believe it should be a crucial part of many circulums [sic] so others can learn about it also. Writing about nature to lay readers may inspire interest in the environment that they ma not have otherwise had. It is important because people need to know about nature. People need to understand about what is going on in the world around them because nature is an important part of life. Depending on the definition of nature, writing can be very influential and informative sparking debate and stimulating intelligent conversation.
It assigns a value to nature and spreads conservation and the importance of retaining it s [sic] beauty. Nature writing is good for the reason that it can help to introduce nature topics to someone who may not otherwise be exposed to that topic. I believe we are part of nature so all writing would be nature writing. However assuming nature is excluding humans or human creations, I still believe writing about nature is very important because it gives people a window into what they don t notice, or are apathetic towards; anything that can inspire is good. Nature writing is of great value because it may cause a reader to think about nature in some way. Nature writing may entice a reader to appreciate the value of nature and therefore take action towards protecting nature. It is very important to show people the beauty of nature even if they do not get to experience it first hand. People write about many things, it is important that nature is one of these things also. Nature writing is important for lay readers because it is important that people understand nature. A lot of people do not understand just how important nature is to the human race, so nature writing is a way to show nature s importance and relate it to the lay readers. I feel that Nature writing is very important because we can preach and debate ideas all day, but without publishing or presenting one s opinion in a formatted manner, it does not mean anything. 3. How important is it (on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 = of great value and 1 = of little value) a. for scientists to understand the humanities and social perspectives on questions of natural resource conservation? 4.125 4.83 b. for writers, artists, economists, etc. to understand the scientific perspective on questions of natural resource conservation? 4.125 4.5 4. In your opinion, which are most cost effective in the long run? Disposable but biodegradable items 12.5% 12.5% -or- Durable items with replaceable features 87.5% 87.5% 5. List the ethical issues that must be considered when making decisions about preservation of natural resources: How it affects life on earth The natural/original habitat areas of plants/animals; economic issues & how businesses may be affected; who/what will benefit/suffer from the preservation (trade-offs); rights of plants and animals; how humans should relate to Earth & how much control they should have to use Earth & its resources Creates higher costs; by law natural resources are often owned so it is usually the owner s choice (natural gas is an example) At the current rates of consumption, how long resources will last; How many people are dependent on certain resources; Are resources distributed equally? There are many ethical issues that must be considered when making decisions about preservation of natural resources. We are not to use on e another as a means to an end, so we should respect nature in the same way. Some other ethical issues include, should we: be destroying natural habitats for human benefit, be preserving nature for future generations, be more concerned about pollution, and do more to prevent global warming? All of nature works together like a big machine, so breaking even the smallest part could lead to major problems. Average use per day/month/year; effect on society, people, economy; effect on earth; unfortunately, money; displacement of people/animals; effects on animals The population is growing, so there is a concern about conservation period. People are growing as a culture, turning more individualistically, therefore waste has escalated.; Preservation of natural resources, relies upon the population & politics, which frowns upon this.
Many different species are dependent upon specific natural resources and so to eliminate or threaten the resource would also threaten that species. Does nature have intrinsic value; do unborn generations and other living species have rights; does the value to humans outweigh the intrinsic value? The value of nature and its resources for aesthetic/educational/ecological/etc. reasons, the economic value of natural resources Destroying nature for the better of mankind; not advancing technology due to harm to nature; should animals be treated fairly; is it right to endanger a species if it saves human lives? How long will the resource last?; How does extracting the resource affect ecosystems?; How will the resources be distributed?; How can we live in a way that requires the least amount of nonrenewable resources? There are many ethical issues that must be considered when making decisions about the preservation of natural resources. First of all, and most important, we must decide what is natural so they [sic] we know exactly what to preserve and what is part of nature. Secondly, we are not to use one another as means to an end, so we should respect nature in the same way. Some other ethical issues include, should we: be destroying natural habitats for human benefit, be preserving nature for future generations, be more concerns about pollution, and do more to prevent global warming? All of nature works together like a big machine, so breaking even the smallest part could lead to major problems. I must be tired because I cannot think of any. I can only think of ethical issues to consider about not preserving nature. There doesn t seem to be any unethical concern with preserving nature.
Circle the number that best reflects your level of agreement with the following statements, based on the following numbered scale: 1 = Strongly disagree 2 = Disagree 3 = Neither agree nor disagree 4 = Agree 5 = Strongly agree Pre (mean) Post (mean) 6.) Most people who want to protect natural resources are tree huggers who only care about nature and not about people or economic consequences. 1.875 1.83 7.) Invasive species are usually harmful. 3.875 2.83 8.) I anticipate this course to be challenging. /This course was challenging. 3.75 4.00 9.) I anticipate this course will help me think independently. /This course has helped me to think independently. 4.00 4.33 10.) I anticipate this course will help me express myself creatively. /This course helped me express myself creatively. 3.625 3.83 11.) I anticipate this course will help me function better in a team. /This course has helped me function better in a team. 3.75 3.00 12.) I anticipate this course will help me better understand the principles of research. /This course has helped me better understand the principles of research. 4.00 3.67 13.) I anticipate this course will allow me to express my opinions. /This course allowed me to express my opinions. 4.125 4.67 14.) I anticipate that some of my opinions might change as a result of this course. /Some of my opinions changed as a result of this course. 3.875 4.33 15.) I anticipate this course will be relevant to my major area of study. /This course was relevant to my major area of study. 4.75 4.33
Pre Post (%) (%) 16.) Which of the following skills would you like to improve/did you want to improve by your involvement in a multidisciplinary, project based course? writing/written communication skills 50 50 speaking/oral communication skills 50 67 critical thinking skills 100 100 data collection skills 62.5 67 problem solving skills 75 67 scientific method/research skills 87.5 83 social skills 50 67 17.) Which of the following skills do you think will be improved/do you think did improve by your involvement in a multidisciplinary, project based course? writing/written communication skills 62.5 67 speaking/oral communication skills 75 67 critical thinking skills 75 100 data collection skills 50 67 problem solving skills 62.5 67 scientific methods/research skills 75 83 social skills 12.5 33 18.) What are your expectations for this course? /Were your expectations for this course fulfilled? I expect to learn a great deal about issues involving the natural world through presentations, speakers, and hands-on experiences. To discuss topics of nature (human, animal, natural world) and the effect of relative impacts from outside forces. Looking at nature through several academic perspectives. I am expecting to learn about nature by looking at it thorough many different viewpoints. Also, I am expecting to learn about the different viewpoint that I will be using to investigate nature. I am hoping this class will help me become a more well rounded student. I didn t really have many expectations yet because I don t really know what the course entails. I do expect that I will improve in my writing and in my understanding of nature. I expect to learn about the environment from many different ways & perspectives. I also expect to become more aware of the concerns of the future & immediate patterns in nature vs. society. I expect to learn a lot about nature and become more open-minded and knowledgeable because the course is multidisciplinary. I hope to apply what learn in this class to my future career as well as in many other aspects in my life. Learn and to have fun. I had no idea what to expect. So I don t think I can answer that. I did have fun, and felt like I learned a lot. Yes. This course was challenging yet very interesting and a lot fun. Yes, I was very happy to be involved with this class. I love the interactive format with the many different professors to consult. I hope it continues and class sizes continue to grow and then build on the projects we started. Yes. I didn t really have any expectations going in. I figured I d just try it and see what happened. It turned out well. Yes, I really enjoyed this course and fulfilled all of my expectations. It was a great experience to look at nature from many different viewpoints. This allowed me to experience different things that I would not normally get to experience during the classes that I regularly take. I will definitely recommend this course to other students because this class is great for making students more well-rounded. Yes and no. I did like the layout of each class lesson and the basic structure. It was very similar to what I pictured what a multidisciplinary course would be. There was some disorganization but this was the trial run so I did not mind it. I do wish
more people would have participated in discussions. Although a lot of questions posed were fairly deep and needed thought, it didn t hurt to just speak out.