The relationship between environmental literacy and self-efficacy beliefs toward environmental education

Abstract

This study examines the level of preservice elementary teachers' literacy and self-efficacy beliefs and investigates the relationship between their environmental literacy and self-efficacy beliefs. The sample for the study comprises 61 2nd year students in the Elementary Education Department of a private university in Turkey. The results of the study show that the participants did not have sufficient environmental knowledge or self-efficacy beliefs related to environmental education, although their environmental attitude, concern, and perception of environmental issues were relatively high. The results also indicate a significant correlation between their self-efficacy beliefs and their concern for the environment. The authors conclude that the quality of environmental education in teacher education programs in Turkey needs to be improved. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.