|
Asia-Pacific
Forum on Science Learning and Teaching, Volume 6, Issue 2, Article
5 (Dec., 2005) Murat GÖKDERE A study on environmental knowledge level of primary students in Turkey
|
|
|
Asia-Pacific
Forum on Science Learning and Teaching, Volume 6, Issue 2, Article
5 (Dec., 2005) Murat GÖKDERE A study on environmental knowledge level of primary students in Turkey
|
Suggestions
Children's (6-12 years) environmental knowledge is positively affected by some arrangements that found in the content of science curriculum at primary level.
There is a need for adding some issues as natural environment, basis of life, source of energy, structure of human, pollution of environment to the existing issues developed in science curriculum at primary level.
Issues of environmental education must be different from theoretical lessons; they must be learned based on interaction and practice. Learned knowledge will be more permanent with this learning method. Since people remember 10% of what they hear, 30% of what they read, 50% of what they see, and 90% of what they do (Gittins, 1988).
Role of children's family is important on environmental education process and environmental education seminars should be arranged for parents.
Children must be understood that nature and society are, in fact (if not in reflection), inseparable (Dennis and Knapp, 1997). In addition, human is a part of biologic life, explain of mean that harmful of by oneself must be present as one of the fundamental goal at education curriculum program. We should develop strategies to encourage students recognizing their environment and paying attention to other components of nature.
Program developers should set clear goals and objectives for the effective EE. EE of programs should improve both the content and the learning methods. Constructivist methods in science teaching will make an important contribution in ensuring that science follows a positive course in the future (Shymansky, 1992). So constructivist methods should be used in environmental education in primary level. In addition to effect of humans on all of the natural components in ecosystem must be learned and the cause and result should be taken into consideration.
It is emphasized that the importance of energy source in educational program in primary level, contributes a positive effect on children's environmental knowledge level where as negative if it is not mentioned efficiently.
Copyright (C) 2005 HKIEd APFSLT. Volume 6, Issue 2, Article 5 (Dec., 2005). All Rights Reserved.
