The Effects of an Ecology Based Environmental Education on Teachers’ Opinions about Environmental Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a 12 day outdoor environmental education program on 24 teachers’ opinions toward Nature and environmental education. For this purpose, two interviews, on the first and the last day of the project, were conducted with the participants by using qualitative research methods. The participants in the sample addressed that they found themselves insufficient to teach in the field of environmental education therefore they wanted to attend this project to gain in depth-knowledge about Nature and environment. They indicated that their current knowledge and practices about environmental education were not sufficient. At the end, the participants expressed that their opinions toward environmental education have changed dramatically. Also, it was found that their efficacies increased as they gained positive perception towards the protection of the environment. They were convinced about the importance of nature and environmental education and the benefit of the usage of the gains acquired during the program.