Evaluation of learning program of environmental education

Abstract

The article is concerned with an evaluation of learning programs of environmental education. Through a concrete example it shows the possibility of assessing and quantifying students’ change in attitude towards the environment during participation in the created learning program, which was based on Earth Education.
It builds on the work of the Institute for Earth Education which is working both on creating learning programs and evaluation methodology for achieving defined outcomes. The review of the Institute’s research describes the positive influence on knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of participants in their programs (Sunship Earth, Earthkeepers), but methodology used has not yet been published. This paper surveys the evaluation of the learning program Earth Guardians created by the author and based on ideas of Earth Education. The target group comprises secondary school students (11-13 years old). In more detail it is focused on evaluation of changes in values and attitudes of participating students. For the research, the modified instrument for measurement of environmental attitudes – The New Environment Paradigm scale – was used.
The students who participated in the program accomplished better results in awareness of environmental issues, but a significant difference was only in the statement “Me and my damage to the environment” It is necessary to continue with the research, by finding a representative sample control group. Only then we can decide if our methodology will be useful for the evaluation of learning programs of environmental education.