Benefits of an Ecology-Based Nature Education Program: An Evaluation on the Basis of Participants’ Experiences

Abstract

In the current study, it is aimed to investigate the opinions of the social studies teachers participating in the project on the activities conducted within the context of an ecology-based nature education program and thus to determine the extent to which the project achieved its objectives. To this end, the case study design, one of the qualitative research methods was used in the study. The participants of the study are social studies teachers selected by using the criterion sampling method and participating in the project on a volunteer basis. The data of the study were collected through the pre-interview and post-interview forms qualitatively developed by the researchers and participant diaries. Moreover, in order to elicit more detailed information about environmental awareness and sensitivity, two quantitative scales were used as pre- and post-tests to measure the participants’ motivation for taking part in activities and basic views of environment and environmental problems. As a result of the applied education program, the participants’ motivation to take part in activities to be conducted in natural environment and their ecocentric mindset was strengthened. In addition, the participants think that at the end of the program, they better understood human-environment interaction and developed their awareness of sustainable environment. In addition, the participants stated that they received the information from its source and in an interdisciplinary manner, developed different perspectives, and developed scientific, social and entrepreneurial skills. Finally, it was determined that the participants thought that they gained experience and motivation in order to use the knowledge and skills they had gained through the activities within the context of the program in formal and informal educational settings.