An Examination of Primary School Teachers' Opinions on Environmental Education and the Activities They Use to Teach Related Issues

Abstract

This research aims to examine the activities used by primary school teachers to create environmental awareness in students based on awareness, knowledge, attitude, skill, and participation, which are the aims of environmental education, according to teachers' opinions. In the research, an instrumental case study, one of the qualitative research models, was conducted to determine the opinions of primary school teachers on environmental education. The convenience sampling method was preferred in determining the study group. The study group of the research consists of 24 different primary school teachers working in primary education institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education. What activities and opinions of primary school teachers were used in the formation of environmental awareness in children and their opinions were taken using the semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers. The responses given to the interview form were analyzed using content analysis. The findings obtained from the opinions of primary school teachers about the activities they use in environmental education are classified based on the aims of environmental education and presented under categories. The prominent results of the research regarding the activities applied in environmental education, it is seen that the classroom teachers mostly implement in-class activities. According to the results of the research, it is recommended to give environmental education as a separate course to provide more effective environmental education.