The Environmental Knowledge Level of Classroom Teaching Students and their Views Toward the Environment

Abstract

Environmental problems that increase day by day can only prevented with an effective environmental education. In order to carry out an effective environmental education a great deal of responsibility lies on teachers and pre-service teachers. Thus, the current study aims to determine the level of environmental knowledge of Classroom Education students and their views toward the environment. The current study adopted a mixed methods design using both qualitative and quantitative analyses. The study was conducted during the 2014-2015 academic year, spring semester. While Pamukkale University, Faculty of Education, Elementary Education Department, Department of Classroom Teaching 50 First-Year students comprised the quantitative study group 7 students comprised the qualitative study group. Firstly the multiple-choice questioned Environmental Knowledge Test was conducted and then consequently interviews were conducted with 7 students. With the scores obtained from the students independent samples t-test and One-way ANOVA analyses were done. When the findings were compared according to gender a statistically significant difference was found in favor of the female students. However, when the data was analyzed according to high school type graduated from and longest time spent living in a site were analyzed no meaningful differences were found. In the qualitative dimension of the research students had difficulties in questions involving human and environment, the ozone layer, greenhouse gas, environmental pollution reasons, the consequences of environmental pollution.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n6p159