Examining Fifth and Eighth Grade Students' Conceptual Knowledge on Environmentally Friendly Behaviors

Abstract

The aim of the study is to examine the conceptual knowledge of fifth and eighth grade students regarding environmentally friendly behaviors and examples addressing this concept. The study used a nested multiple case (instric) design. Accordingly, content analysis was performed on the data. A total of 100 middle school students, 50 fifth grade students and 50 eighth grade students, participated in the study. The participants were determined using the convenience sampling method. The students participated in the study voluntarily. There were only female students in the school where the application was carried out, therefore male students could not be included in the sample. The “Environmentally Friendly Information Form” prepared by the researcher was used as the data collection tool in the study. This form was prepared within the framework of the main theme of environmentally friendly behavior in order to determine the level of knowledge of the students about the concept of environmentally friendly behavior and to determine whether examples appropriate to this concept were given. A pilot study was conducted with 100 middle school students to check the applicability of the main study. The data were collected under various codes, conceptual categories and themes. As a result of the content analysis conducted on the data, it was determined that the level of knowledge of the concept of environmentally friendly behavior of the fifth grade students was not at a sufficient level, while the eighth grade students expressed the concept of environmentally friendly behavior mainly with behaviors aimed at protecting the environment. At the end of the study, as a result of the examination of the answers and examples given by both the fifth and eighth grade students for the definition of the concept of environmentally friendly behavior, it was seen that this concept was confused with environmentally friendly attitudes and behaviors that are considered correct by the society. In this context, it is recommended that the concept of environmentally friendly behavior be included separately in the curriculum and that environmental issues should not only be focused on plant and animal relationships.