JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Year:2016 | Volume:4 | Issue:3|Papers Count:7

This paper investigates the effects of environmental education based on Connectivisim Theory on sixth elementary school graders’ environmental learning concepts and their contact with nature. The methodology used in this paper is quasi-experimental with pretest, posttest and control group. Using random cluster sampling method, a total of 55 female sixth graders from Kermanshah Third Education District in 93-94 academic year were selected and randomly assigned to experiment and control groups. The variables were measured using a learning verified test and the standard scale was in contact with nature by Nisbett et al (2009). Validity of measurement tools was confirmed by five experts and reliability of measurement tools was ruled admissible, using re-test and calculating correlation coefficient while the reliability of questionnaires was confirmed by Cronbach Alpha given internal consistency coefficient of data. Analysis of data using covariance analysis given the auxiliary variables (pretest) suggests that there is a significant difference between Connectivisim-based education and the conventional educational methods in schools in terms of learning environmental concepts (sig=0.008) and contact with nature (sig=0.000) which indicates the Connectivisim method, is more effective.

To foster environmental friendly behavior, it is necessary to understand individual an social norms. Thus, this study aims to answer the question that to what extent these norms are facilitating individual’s environmental behavior and to what extent, they are filling the gap between attitudes and behaviors towards environmental behavior. This study was conducted among urban dwellers of Mazandaran province in 2016 with utilizing survey method. To identify the sample, a cluster sampling method was applied and 467 people were surveyed. The questionnaire was used as a mean of data collection and the validity was measured by utilizing some experts, while reliability of the questionnaire was measured by using Alpha Cronbach technique. The results of the study show that levels of individual and social norms are not so strong among surveyed people. However, the results indicate that above mentioned norms affect environmental behaviors. These types of norms also help to fill the gap between attitudes and environmental behaviors. The results of regression analysis also show that social norms have most influence on environmental friendly behavior and are a strong predictor compared with other surveyed variables. The paper is ended up with some explanation about norms weaknesses.

Universal population and economical growth and also limited natural resources, especially in many developing countries, has caused a serious consideration to the sustainability issue of environment. Exploiting natural resources is the most important constraints to sustain-able development in many developing countries. The purpose of this descrptive-correlational study was to determine Farmers, perception toward farm soil manag-ement and the factors influencing it. The statistical population for the study consisted of farmer heads of families in the rural society of Kermanshah township (N=24391).Three hundred and fifty samples were selected through multistage sampling method. Data were collected through questionnaire. Validity and reliability of the research instrument were respectively determined through a panel of experts and a determination of Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient. Based on the findings, the Farmers' perception toward farm soil management was moderate. Farmers' contacts with agricultural extension and their use of information resources about farm soil management was lower than average. Results of structural equation modeling revealed that variables including education level, extension contacts, farming experience, sources of information and farm size had a significant influence on Farmers, perception toward farm soil management, with these variables in total determining 51% of variation of Farmers' perception toward farm soil management.

The objective of the current study is to evaluate training methods in order to select the appropriate methods to promote environmental awareness and finally to change individual behavior to protect the environment. The methodology of this study is a survey of a statistical group involving 260 public sector managers and experts in Tehran. The tool for survey consisted of a questionnaire with one question in Multi-Choice, Single-Response Scale to measure the interest of employees in training methods in offices. The results of survey in the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) were evaluated, taking into account all the factors. In this model, after consultation with scholars in the field of educational science with Delphi method, the parameters of time, cost, increasing the level of knowledge, the number of trainees, change of behavior and interaction among trainees were selected as the main criteria in AHP and the grading was carried out. The results of the study showed that workshop had the highest score with a weight of 0.515, and the options of distance education with a weight of 0.263 and lecture with a weight of 0.222 being the next priorities. Also in this study, the change in preference for any of the criteria, priority of training methods can be calculated with quantifying. As with the aim of increasing the number of trainees (from 7.6% to 37.8%), distance-education has higher priority than other options, and so with the aim of increasing the level of knowledge (from 16.9% to 60.3%), lecture will have higher priority.

The aquaculture industry, as a very important agricultural activity in the current situation is influenced by the concept of sustainability that can ensure food security and health of rural society with minimal harm to the environment Ensure. Because Gilan province is an important pole of aquaculture in country, so suitable content for extension of sustainable aquaculture is one of the basic measures to protect the environment and sustainable development in this province. So this research was aimed to study required educational content for extension of sustainable aquaculture in Gilan province by using the Delphi technic. Delphi expert team consisted of 6 scientists, 12 engineers and 32 famous aqua culturists that responded to the questionnaire in three rounds. To select samples, among different ways purposive sampling was used of Reputational Case Sampling. Experts have said various topics in the form of required educational content to achieve sustainable aquaculture but their more emphasis is more on practical items such as introduction of new tools to reduce environmental impacts, comprehensive concept of sustainable aquaculture and strategies for its implementation, introduction of new farming systems and control, and the importance of aquaculture activities, waste, introduction of filters, variety and waste control methods. The province fisheries officials and experts are recommended to consider the referenced content while praparing and codifying the educational programs related to aquaculture by experts, so that they can be able to have appropriate training according to the real needs and opinions of aquacultures, experts and province aquaculture scientists.

The aim of this study is to analyze religious principles of “environmental protection” as a training goal through a descriptive, analytic, deductive approach. The appendix which begins with description and results in the analysis and deduction. The essence of the research is qualitiative, and its type is fundamental research. Required data were gathered from electronic and library resources. The results of the study revealed that environmental knowledge has an important role in attitude framing and subsequent behavior appropriate to the environment. In addition, generating such attitudes in the frame-work of training goal is among the responsi-bilities of education system. The environmental protection as a goal of education should be based on religious grounds because nature, based on the holy Quran - as a God's creation- is systematic, purposeful, and also is manifestation of the divine names and attributes and is governed by divine wisdom. Furthermore, the nature is at the service of human beings based on Quran.

The role of education in rural development can be summarized in the promotion of cultural knowledge, social, professional and increasing skill. Following that, the promotion of optimal efficiency will be achieved. Identifying the types of training methods is necessary for the correct application of it in a variety of education. In this study, factors affecting the use of different methods of training the farmers as well as the role of group and host education were detected. Because according to the cost of the different media and in the absence of the ruling economic constraints, it is important to identify the most appropriate method for each area. In this study, a survey carried out preliminary exploration, then with an emphasis on its findings, basic research was conducted by survey. The study population consisted of 78, 000 farmers in 1, 400 villages in the Markazi province. Sampling was done with two-stage cluster sampling. Since more than half of the study population are illiterate and low literate, This point must be considered in the selection of suitable promotional methods and the methods used that need less education. Also, because of the distribution of farmers in different age groups, appropriate methods should be promoted in accordance with the existing theories of adult learning methods elections. However, in most of developing countries farmers education level is low; therefore the government action is necessary to implement technical and educational programs for farmers and enhance the capacity building of farmers by using information communication technologies.