The Effect on Attitudes of Particular Teaching Methods Used in an Environmental Education Programme

Environmental education programmes should be designed to inspire learners and have enough impact to change learners’ attitudes to environmental issues. These programmes can use a variety of teaching methods – some take the form of lectures, while others allow for group participation. The question arises whether the particular teaching method that is used could have an effect, or can influence, learners’ attitudes. Attitudes are complex and appear to be a consequence of life experiences. Through active involvement, an attempt can be made to intensify those experiences and create a lasting impression that may alter attitudes. This investigation compared the contribution of the lecture method and collaborative learning used in an environmental education programme with the development of positive attitudes on the part of learners who participated in the programme. The findings suggest that, though both methods are effective in changing attitudes, the lecture style did allow for a greater change in attitude over the three-month period. Possible reasons for this unexpected finding are proposed.