Integrating wetland ecology into ecological education for curriculum reform

Integrating wetland ecology into ecological education for curriculum reform

The COVID-19 pandemic, beginning in 2020, underscored the critical need for a healthy ecological environment, prompting shifts in educational priorities toward sustainability. While digital and online learning have become indispensable tools, it is equally important that curriculum design fosters real-world applications of ecological knowledge. From 2020 to 2023, an ecology course conducted in proximity to National Taitung University focused on the Beinan Estuary National Important Wetland (TW31), offering students direct engagement with nature. This outdoor-oriented course introduced natural resource learning through hands-on activities, with students documenting their experiences in group reports and integrating this knowledge into their assessments. Going beyond the classroom, the course sought to strengthen students' connection to the land by merging theoretical learning with practical, experiential education. Key exploration activities included a range of ecological topics such as wetland ecology, plant and animal ecology, art ecology, landscape ecology, community ecology, and broader ecosystem dynamics, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of ecological processes.