The Relationship Between Environmental Literacy and Students' Participation in Global Online Collaboration
DISSERTATION
Marilyn Steneken, Walden University, United States
Walden University . Awarded
Abstract
Recent concerns over global ecology have led to a renewed call for effective environmental education. Since traditional methods of teaching environmental education tend to focus on local issues and perspectives, educators are faced with the problem of providing a more global view of ecological issues. Little research exists exploring the e-learning format as an alternative of teaching environmental education, although current literature confirms that online learning increases knowledge, motivation, and critical thinking skills. The research questions focused on the implementation of online global collaboration as a means to develop environmental literacy and foster self-efficacy among middle school students. This repeated measures quantitative study merged the online venue and environmental learning to assess the combined educational impact. The sample group of 95 middle school students participated in Web-based activities with global peers for 2 months, sharing environmental information from their native countries. Pre and postintervention surveys were conducted to determine if a significant difference existed between environmental literacy and self-efficacy before and after treatment. Constructivist concepts provided the theoretical foundation of this study. Resulting numeric survey scores were compared and statistically analyzed using a t test, which reflected a significant increase in both environmental literacy of middle school students and their self-efficacy after participation in the treatment. With this information, educational strategies can be developed that expand students' environmental literacy and self-efficacy to enhance their role as global citizens and encourage them to engage in collaborative problem solving.
Citation
Steneken, M. The Relationship Between Environmental Literacy and Students' Participation in Global Online Collaboration. Ph.D. thesis, Walden University. Retrieved March 19, 2024 from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/129247/.
Citation reproduced with permission of ProQuest LLC.
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