Awareness on envi̇ronmental educati̇on of classroom teachers

The aim of this study is to determine the awareness of classroom teachers about environmental education. For this purpose a hybrid method has been used in the research, quantitative datas were gathered according to "Environmental Education Self-Efficacy Scale" developed by Özlü (2012) and "Environmental Qualification Teacher Qualification Scale" developed by Ören, Kıyıcı, Erdoğmuş ve Sevinç (2010), qualitative datas were gathered by using semi-structured interview technique. The sample of the research consists of 184 classroom teachers working in the official primary schools affiliated to the Ministry of National Education in the districts of Afyonkarahisar province in the fall semester of 2015-2016 academic year. The study group of thesis consists 19 volunteer teachers working in the official primary schools affiliated to the Ministry of National Education in the province of Afyonkarahisar districts. Quantitative datas were analyzed using SPSS-20 packet program and qualitative datas were analyzed using content analysis technique. As a result of the research, classroom teachers has adequate self-efficacy of environmental education. It was determined that there was no significant difference in the total scores of classroom teachers field information, teaching strategies and environmental education in terms of gender, institution studied, education status and the working accommodation unit. But there is significant difference between environmental education self-efficacy scores according to seniority of classroom teachers. When the seniority of teachers increases, environmental education self-efficacy scores increases too. Also it has been found that classroom teachers has high level of teacher qualifications with environmental awareness. There is no significant difference between teacher qualification scale scores with environmental consciousness according to the education status and seniority of classroom teachers. However, there was a significant difference in teacher qualification scale with environmental awareness scores according to classroom teachers institutions and settlement unit. In the results of qualitative datas, it was found that classroom teachers describe environmental education as information, consciousness, attitude and active participation, which are components of environmental education in the literature, but they emphasize more knowledge and consciousness level. Classroom teachers reported that it is important to give environmental education to children in primary school age and classroom teachers has important roles in environmental education. It has been determined that classroom teachers benefit most from the question and answer technique in environmental education. In addition, it was determined that classroom teachers benefit most from photographs, newspapers, books magazines and brochures in environmental education. It was determined that participants meet varius obstacles which are arisen by teachers, education, system, school and the programs about the environmental education. Key Words: Environment, environmental education, environmental education self-efficacy, classroom teacher.