The determination of the science education teacher cadidates? views about the environmental problems by using different technicals

The aim of the study is to determine the views preservice science teachers in the department of science regarding environmental problems by utilizing various technicals.The participants of the study consisted of I. and II education students (day time and evening class students) who attending `Environmental Education? courses given on the 3rd year of Science Education Teaching in the spring semester of 2008-2009 educational year. The sample contained a total of 66 teacher candidates involving both male and female students.The views of preservice science teachers regarding environmental problems were collected by using three different technicals: drawings, concept maps and interviews. These three different methods were utilized with the intent of looking at the same research problem from different perspectives since it was thought that the three differing data collection tools would create a suitable context in determining the underlying acceptances and rationales of the teacher candidates in setting forth of the perceptions they carry. This way, it was possible to examine in detail the student views and opinions about the research problem.Firstly the science teachers were asked to express themselves with drawings about the subject. There were not any limitations for them to express themselves in a free way. And later the teacher candidates were asked to draw a concept map about the subject. The data obtained from these techniques were analyzed with rating scales which were prepared independently. And lastly the teacher candidates were taken to an interview by one by. The answers obtained from the interview were analyzed qualitatively with the open encoding technique .Research results i) the preservice science teachers have no difficulty in drawing technique about the subject, generally by complete and accurate drawings of their views. ii) Even though there were many concept numbers in concept maps, generally they had some difficulty in establishing a relationship between these concepts and have some shortcomings. iii) the preservice science teachers were not only dealing with the problems that they were facing in a daily life but also they had the awareness about the global environmental problems. iv) Due to the preservice science teachers? proposals that are given about the environmental problems it was found to have a high susceptibility related to the subject.The given messages have been emphasized in the research of the three technical?s angle of consistency, education of environment and environmental awarenessKey Words: Environmental Problems, Environmental Education, Environmental Awareness, Drawings, Concept Map, Interview