Die rol van omgewingsopvoedingsaktiwiteite in die uitklaring van omgewingswaardes by graad 6 leerders

Abstract

The research in this study focuses on the role of environmental education activities in the clarification of environmental values in Grade 6 learners. The much discussed environmental crisis arose as a result of man's negative environmental behaviour. Human behaviour is a matter of choices based on environmental values. Environmental value clarification aims to raise learners' awareness of their own values and to increase their effect on the environment. It helps learners to explore their own values, to consider advantages and disadvantages, to accept that others' beliefs may vary from their own, and to align their own actions and behaviours with their personal beliefs. Using environmental education activities the researcher aims to help learners clarify their environmental values as environmental education activities can not only be interesting and fun, but can also have a powerful impact on students' interest in and awareness of environmental problems. As the clarification of environmental values contains a highly subjective component, use is made of a combined method research strategy. The quantitative research component takes place through a pre- and post-test test with an experimental and a control group. During the pre- and post-test a standardised questionnaire is used whilst the interventions take the form of an environmental education activity. A qualitative, collective case study design forms the qualitative part of the combined method, through observation during the activity and focus group interviews thereafter. Three schools that are part of the project "Education for sustainable living", where schools pay attention to the environment through the implementation of environmental management principles, were selected for participation. The findings indicate that learners that were exposed to the activity are confronted with their own environmental values and attitudes whilst being forced to seriously, honestly andcritically reflect on his / her own values regarding specific environmental issues in the activity.