The Effect of Differentiated Instruction in Environmental Education on Environmental Attitudes and Knowledge Levels

Authors : Ümit Yıldız, Halil İbrahim Yıldırım

Pages : 33-52

Doi:10.52797/tujped.1751388

View : 104 | Download : 190

Publication Date : 2025-12-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This investigation was performed to investigate the influence of the differentiated instruction method (DIM) in environmental instruction on 6th-grade pupils’ attitudes toward the environment and environmental knowledge levels. The pretest-posttest control group quasi-experimental research was conducted over 14 weeks in 2024–2025. The students were split into a control class (n=28) and an experimental class (n=29) using the convenience sampling method. The Environmental Attitude Scale (EAS) and The Environmental Knowledge Test (EKT) were administered as pre-post-follow-up tests. Pupils in the group under control were taught the subjects on the environment using student-centered methods, while those in the experimental group using DIM. In the content-process-product-evaluation phases of the DIM, different activities were planned and implemented in accordance with the student groups formed by taking into account their learning levels, prior knowledge, student interests, and learning styles. The study found that student-centered instruction and DIM made a significant contribution to EAS and EKT scores. However, while the pretest points of the control and experiment classes were similar, the post- and follow-up test points of the experiment class were meaningfully bigger than those of the control class, showing that DIM was more effective in improving students’ environmental attitude and knowledge compared to student-centered instruction. This result can be explained by the flexible differentiation of environmental education by applying appropriate learning activities to student groups that were formed based on different learning styles, interests, and learning levels.
Keywords : Farklılaştırılmış öğretim, Çevre eğitimi, Çevreye yönelik tutum, Çevreye yönelik bilgi

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