The effects of inquiry approach of informal learning environment on academic achievements: Case of The Ege University Research and Application Center of Botanical Garden and Herbarium

In this study; it was aimed to determine the effects of the use of botanical garden which are one of the informal learning environments for educational purposes on the academic success of secondary school students and, the views of science teachers and secondary school students towards informal learning environments. In order to collect study data for this purpose, a mixed research design was used by using both qualitative, and quantitative methods. Quantitative part of the study was designed as pre-test post-test separate sample group model which is a quasi experimental design. The experimental groups of the study consisted of 118 fifth grade and 106 seventh grade students who visited to Izmir Ege University Botanic Garden and Herbarium Research and Application Center. The experimental group is the group of research participants who receive the experimental treatment, inqury approach was used to teach scientific knowledge in botanical garden. The control groups consisted of 101 fifth grade, and 98 seventh grade students studying in a secondary school. The current curriculum was applied to the control groups. The academic achievement test which was developed by the researcher and applied to the experimental, and control groups as pre-test, and post-test. As a result of study, there was no statistically significant difference between the pre-test scores of the experimental, and control groups, but statistically significant difference between the post-test scores of the both groups. In qualitative part of the study, the students' opinions about learning in the informal learning environment and the informal environment were tried to determine. Moreover, teachers' opinions about the informal learning environment gathered to support students' data. In that purpose the semi-structured interview was used to collect for qualitative data. The data were analyzed by content analysis. The result of the interviews with the teachers showed that the botanical garden provided convenience in the teaching of science but botanical garden had certain deficiencies that should be eliminated. The result of the interviews with the students showed that learning in the botanical garden is more enjoyable and easier than the classroom environment. Consequently, teachers' and students' opinions as quantitative and pre-test and post-test data as qualitative results are presented together. Results reached have presented findings regarding the importance botanic gardens in science education in our country. Keywords: Informal learning environments, botanic garden, science learning.