Effects of ‘Active Participation and Organization’ in a Nature Conservation Project: Study of a Teaching Technique

Abstract

This article presents the technique of active participation and organization in environmental protection activities, and compares it with two other similar teaching techniques. The body of the presentation recounts the investigation into the impact of the teaching technique within the behavioral area of nature conservation, specifically protection of spotted salamander. The investigation tests the hypothesis, as to whether the technique of active participation and organization in environmental protection activities to conserve nature results in a positive change in pupils’ environmental behavior. The design of the examination comprised one test group and two control groups; one of the control groups receives only tuition, the second none. Data were gathered concerning the environmental perception, the self-reported willingness to act as well as the observable behavior. Positive results could be found. A positively altered willingness of the test group to act was established and their observable behavior differed after the teaching.