Pre Service Teachers' Ability to Name Nesting Animals in Ecosystems -- A Perspective of Biodiversity

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16

Foreign Countries; Preservice Teachers; Knowledge Level; Animals; Elementary School Teachers; Ecology; Sustainable Development; Biodiversity; Biology; Geography

This study investigated the consciousness of the pre service teachers of nesting animals in certain ecosystems. The study group included primary school and subject teacher students. The students were asked to name 10 different nesting animal species in each ecosystem drawing. Spruce dominated coniferous forest got the highest number of animals mentioned by ST students. The lowest mean of the named animals was in the fen by PT students. Pre service teachers mentioned mammals more often than other animals like birds, reptiles & amphibians & fish or invertebrates. ST students named more birds than PT students, and ST students were able to name more animals at the species level. In many of the answers only mammals were included only mammals in the savannah. Usually 4 animals were named to the tropical rainforest. The most common nesting animals in the answers were mammals like lion, giraffe, zebra, hyena and antelope in the savannah. The biggest variety of nesting animal groups was in the fen where the most common named animals were elk, mosquito, frog, crane and capercaillie. The named animals were the same than in an earlier study, where the students were asked to name animals living and moving in the ecosystems. This indicates that certain animals are remembered, commonly known, and will therefore be named. This study reveals that the consciousness of taxonomy is limited and should be improved. Consciousness of animals is important for future teachers to be able to teach biodiversity and sustainable development.

As Provided

2020

ED603284