Authors : Denpong Charoensilpa, Nongnapas Thiengkamol, Jurairat Kurukodt and Chatchai Thiengkamol
Abstract: Environmental Education Characteristics (EECs) are features for environmental educator or environmental education volunteer should have public mind to serve community and society in terms of awareness and consciousness raising, attitude, belief and behavior changing through knowledge giving activities. The lack of evidence for confirmation of EECs, it needs to employ the experts in environmental education field to validate. Environmental education expert refers to the person who graduated at doctoral degree in the environmental education field or related field and has experience at least 5 years in research or teaching or holding training environmental education program in this field. Environmental education principles cover knowledge and understanding on environmental issues, awareness raising, attitude and behavioral changing including valuating ability, skill development and participation. The objective of this research is to develop EECs. The Delphi technique was employed for data collection from 17 experts with three round opinions of validation EECs. Inter-quartile range between quartile 1 and 3, mean and mode were be used for data analysis. The finding revealed that the characteristics were categorized to be 14 main EECs and 26 supportive EECs by using rating scale according to the most congruent level with mean scores ≥4.50 for main EECs and more congruent level with mean scores equal to 3.50 up to 4.49 for supportive EECs. The main EECs were very important characteristics because it would identify environmental educator from general educator. Moreover, it can be used for identify for environmental education volunteer who has public mind for environmental conservation to meet sustainable development.
Denpong Charoensilpa, Nongnapas Thiengkamol, Jurairat Kurukodt and Chatchai Thiengkamol, 2012. Development of Environmental Education Characteristics. The Social Sciences, 7: 496-501.