Developing a module for sustainable development education for middle school students

This research aimed to develop a teachin material consisting of ten modules on sustainable development (SD) designed for middle school students and test its effectiveness. A mixed research approach and sequential pattern design were used. The qualitative data of the research was collected student diary, researcher diary, semi-structured student and parent interviews, and quantitative data was also collected by using the achievement test, concept map, and parent observation charts developed by the researcher. Due to the covid-19 epidemic that started in 2020, the practices were carried out online through the zoom app. The SD teaching module was applied for a total of nine weeks and eighteen hours. The study group consisted of 14 students studying in the seventh grade. Academic achievement tests and concept maps were applied to the students in the study group three times as pre-test, post-test, and also retention tests. Quantitative data were analyzed with computer-aided data analysis programs, and qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis. As a result of this study, it was concluded that the academic achievement and conceptual development of the students increased. Similarly, the SD teaching module developed by the researcher increased students' SD awareness, and it was demonstrated through parent and student interviews that the practices were effective in gaining the targeted behaviors. In line with these results, valid and reliable evidence has been presented that the SD teaching module can be used by teachers on a module-based basis to gain the aforementioned goals of SD as a whole or in part.