Cross-disciplinary consumer citizenship education

This paper examines a cross-disciplinary, problem-oriented
workshop dealing with consumer issues. The workshop forms part
of the four-year Danish teacher training course offered by the
Copenhagen Day and Evening College of Teacher Training.
The workshop covers issues related to civic, environmental and
consumer education, along with pedagogical issues, with the aim
of developing a holistic, integrated approach to consumer
citizenship education.
The workshop concept is based on the “IVAC” (Investigation,
Visions, Actions & Changes) model (Jensen 1997). As our point of
departure, we take a practical and common everyday experience
for both students and pupils: the living conditions, lifestyle choices
and consumer behaviour connected to a lunchtime meal.
The overall aim of the workshop is to develop transferable
knowledge, attitudes and skills among the students. The students
are supposed to apply these competences in their practical teaching
of consumer citizenship education in Danish comprehensive
schools. Comprehensive schools are state schools combining
primary and lower secondary education.
In Denmark, teacher training includes 24 weeks of teaching
practice. The workshop forms an integral part of this practice.
Before the teaching practice, the students are given a preparatory
course offering them hands-on learning experience, guidance,
pedagogical reflection and access to relevant teaching materials.
During their teaching practice, the students have an opportunity to
experience how the materials and methods function. In addition,
they are offered a visit by their college supervisor. Upon
completion of the teaching practice, a plenary evaluation takes
place at the teacher training college. This is intended to bring the
lessons learned during the practicum into the classroom in order to
share the experiences.