The effect of problem based learning method on the environment awarness of 7th graders human and environment unit example

Abstract

The aim of the current study is to investigate the effects of 7th grade Science and Technology class “Human and Environment” Unit, prepared according to problem based learning method, on the students’ environmental awareness and retention of information. The research design is based on pretest posttest control grouped semi-experimental model. The experimental group was taught with problem based learning method and the control group was taught with the method, activities and applications in the Science and Technology learning program. The research procedure took place in a middle school in Denizli with 42 7th graders over a period of six weeks and four lessons a week in 2013-2014 academic year second semester. Before the procedure the Elementary School Students’ Environmental Attitude Scale was administered as pretest, after the procedure as posttest and two months after the procedure was over as retention test. The findings of the current research concluded that teaching the “Human and Environment” Unit with problem based method in 7th grade developed the environmental attitude of students and it increased the retention of information.