25-01-2013, 10:13 AM
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN THE PRIMARY CURRICULUM IN HONGKONG
ABSTRACT
According his study Environmental education has become an important and growing area for educational research. This pioneer study, in which both quantitative and qualitative methods were utilized, extended previous knowledge about the status and teachers’ perceptions of environmental education in primary schools in Hongkong. Two questionnaire surveys were conducted with a total involvement of about 200 primary schools and about 3000 primary school teachers. In addition, 8 case study schools were studied and 62 principals and teachers were interviewed. For the first time, a model of teachers, receptivity to environmental education which involved stages of concern, receptivity to change, environmental concern, attitudes towards education and perceived teaching efficacy variables was explored and tested. Furthermore, case studies were conducted to explore teachers’ perceptions of possible adoption of environmental education in their own context.