Causes, Processes and Consequences of "Desertification": Results of a Qualitative Study about the Conceptions of 12- and 13-Year-Old Students in Germany

Autor/in	Schubert, Jan Christoph
Titel	Causes, Processes and Consequences of "Desertification": Results of a Qualitative Study about the Conceptions of 12- and 13-Year-Old Students in Germany
Quelle	In: International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 24 (2015) 2, S.148-166 (19 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1038-2046
DOI	10.1080/10382046.2014.993172
Schlagwörter	Qualitative Research; Content Analysis; Interviews; Student Attitudes; Water; Climate; Classification; Geography; Environment; Conservation (Environment); Learning Processes; Geography Instruction; Teaching Methods; Foreign Countries; Beliefs; Grade 7; Documentaries; Books; Information Sources; Scientific Research; Germany + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Qualitative Forschung; Inhaltsanalyse; Interviewing; Interviewtechnik; Schülerverhalten; Wasser; Klima; Classification system; Klassifikation; Klassifikationssystem; Geografie; Umwelt; Conservation; Environment; Konservierung; Bewahung; Learning process; Lernprozess; Geography education; Geography lessons; Geografieunterricht; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Ausland; Belief; Glaube; School year 07; 7. Schuljahr; Schuljahr 07; Documentary film; Documentary films; Dokumentarfilm; Book; Buch; Monographie; Monografie; Information source; Informationsquelle; Deutschland
Abstract	Preconceptions are a crucial factor in the educational learning process. Hence, the investigation of preconceptions is important for learning and teaching in the field of geography. This study examines the preconceptions of 12- and 13-year-old students, regarding the major environmental problem of "desertification." The students' preconceptions were collected by conducting half-standardized, problem-centered and guided interviews. These interviews (n = 13) were then evaluated using qualitative content analysis. Results show quite complex preconceptions concerning the causes, the processes, the effects and the measures to counter desertification. Regarding the causes of desertification, three basic preconceptions were identified: water consumption inducing drought, climate change generating high temperatures and wind blowing sand from deserts to adjacent areas. All in all, natural causes for desertification were predominant from the students' perspective. In conclusion, some conceptions can be classified as almost in line with scientific explanations, while others can be considered as alternative explanations. Based on the results of the study, implications concerning learning and teaching geography are proposed, such as focusing on the anthropogenic causes of desertification. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01