DIGITAL TOOLS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: ENHANCING AWARENESS AND ACTION THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

A key tactic to foster ecological awareness and promote sustainable action in the face of growing environmental crises is the integration of digital technology into education. This chapter examines the revolutionary potential of digital tools in environmental education, emphasizing how they can promote awareness, critical thinking, and environmentally conscious behavior. Teachers can immerse students in immersive and participatory experiences that connect theory and practice by utilizing augmented reality, gamified learning, e-learning platforms, mobile applications, virtual simulations, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Additionally, digital platforms offer accessibility, making high-quality environmental content available to students from a variety of geographic locations. The advantages, difficulties, and pedagogical ramifications of utilizing digital tools in environmental education are examined critically in this chapter. Examples from both local and international settings show how these tools encourage environmental literacy and enable students to act with knowledge. In order to optimize the effects of digital education, the conversation also highlights the significance of inclusive access, digital infrastructure, and teacher training. Educational institutions can help students become active environmental stewards who can help create a more sustainable future by incorporating digital tools.