Overcoming plant blindness: are the future teachers ready?

Abstract

ABSTRACTPlant blindness refers to the tendency of people to overlook and undervalue plants in their environment, which can have negative consequences for both the environment and human well-being. As pre-service teachers play a key role in shaping the environmental attitudes and knowledge of future generations, it is important to assess their level of plant blindness and identify ways to overcome it. To assess the plant blindness effect among pre-service teachers several tests have been used, including an endangered animals and plants test, an identification test, a memory test, and a blink test. All of the tests indicate that the plant blindness effect is strong among pre-service teachers. This article proposes five different topics that can be integrated into teacher education programs to help future teachers overcome plant blindness, including plant identification skills, the ecological and cultural importance of plants, the use of plants in teaching science and environmental concepts, and the connection between plant knowledge and sustainable behaviours. By incorporating these topics into teacher education programs, they can help future teachers develop a greater appreciation and understanding of plants, which can in turn benefit the environment and human well-being.