Hebe, Headman Ngilosi

An evaluation of the environmental literacy of educators : a case study.

Pretoria

2009

Pretoria, Univ., M.A. (Comparative Education), 2009

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Abstract: This study departs from the assumption that the environmental literacy of educators is significant in the effective implementation of environmental education. The study explores and interprets the environmental literacy of currently serving educators (in-service educators) in the towns of Makwassie and Wolmaransstad. Semi-structured and unstructured interviews were used for data collection in this qualitative, case study-based research inquiry. The interview schedule was designed to cover six concepts/issues, namely, pollution, global warming, the ozone layer, water, human population growth, and sustainable development. The findings reveal that the level of environmental literacy varies from educator to educator and that various factors influence the environmental literacy of educators. The study recommends meaningful, ongoing educator training and support, more research in the area of educator environmental literacy, as well as an investigation into classroom practice in order to determine the level of the implementation of environmental education.

CHAPTER ONE

ORIENTATION TO THE STUDY

1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.2 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
1.3 PROBLEM STATEMENT
1.4 AIM OF THE STUDY
1.5 RESEARCH METHOD AND DESIGN
1.6 EMARCATION OF THE STUDY
1.7 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
1.8 STUDY PROGRAMME – DIVISION OF CHAPTERS

CHAPTER TWO

THE REVIEW OF LITERATURE

2.1 INTRODUCTION
2.2 THE DEFINITION OF ″LITERATURE REVIEW″
2.3 THE CONCEPT OF ″ENVIRONMENT″
2.4 THE CONCEPT OF ″EDUCATION″
2.5 THE CONCEPT OF ″ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION″
2.5.1 Human population growth
2.5.2 Pollution
2.5.3 Global warming
2.5.4 Sustainable development
2.6 LITERACY
2.7 ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY
2.8 CURRENTLY SERVING EDUCATORS
2.9 EVALUATION
2.10 CONCLUSION

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND DESIGN

3.1 INTRODUCTION
3.2 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH: ITS RELEVANCE AND IMPORTANCE TO THIS STUDY
3.3 RESEARCH DESIGN
3.3.1 Demarcation of the study
3.3.2 Sampling
3.3.3 Techniques used in data collection
3.3.3.1 Interviews
3.3.3.2 Completion of the interview schedules/questionnaires
3.3.4 Procedures used in data analysis
3.3.5 Reliability and validity
3.3 CONCLUSION

CHAPTER FOUR

PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS

4.1 INTRODUCTION
4.2 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS
4.2.1 Pollution
4.2.1.1 The findings made with regard to pollution
(a) Definition of the concept of pollution
(b) Types/forms of pollution
(c) The impact of pollution on various factors
(d) Causes of pollution
(e) Solutions to the problems of pollution
4.2.1.2 A discussion of the findings in respect the concept of pollution
4.2.2 Global warming
4.2.2.1 The findings in respect of global warming
(a) Definition of the concept of global warming
(b) The causes of global warming
(c) The effects of global warming
(d) Suggestions on ways in which to deal with global warming
4.2.2.2 Discussion of findings in respect of global warming
4.2.3 The ozone layer
4.2.3.1 Findings regarding the ozone layer
(a) The definition of the ozone layer
(b) The function(s) of the ozone layer
(c) Suggestions about the protection of the ozone layer
4.2.3.2 Discussion of findings regarding the ozone layer
4.2.4 Water
4.2.4.1 Findings in respect of water
(a) ″Free water″ for ″every household″ in South Africa
(b) Ideas about the conservation of water
4.2.4.2 Discussion of the findings in respect of water
4.2.5 Human population growth
4.2.5.1 Findings regarding human population growth
(a) The impact of increasing human population
(b) Ways in which to dealing with an increasing human population
4.2.5.2 Discussion of the findings in respect of human population growth
4.2.6 Sustainable development
4.2.6.1 Findings in respect of sustainable development
(a) Definition of sustainable development
(b) Awareness regarding the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) 2002
4.2.6.2 Discussion of the findings in respect of sustainable development
4.3 CONCLUSION

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 INTRODUCTION
5.2 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
5.2.1 Findings which arose from the literature review
5.2.2 Findings based on the research design and methodology
5.2.3 Findings based on empirical research
5.3 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
5.3.1 Completion of interview schedules/questionnaires by some respondents
5.4 RECOMMENDATIONS
5.4 CONCLUDING REMARKS

REFERENCES

APPENDICES

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