Evaluation of Environmental Education Program-A survey of education tour for primary school students of Taipei Zoo

• Main Authors: yu ya-fang, 余雅芳
• Other Authors: Ju Chou
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2003
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/58913908908598547502

碩士 === 國立臺灣師範大學 === 環境教育研究所 === 91 === The purpose of this study is trying to display a whole picture of out-of-school activities for 4th grade children in Taipei Zoo, and to explore the representation of the audience and operators, and to evaluate their satisfaction, needs and suggestion about this program. The study methods of education program evaluation combines with quantitative and qualitative tools, the Questionnaires, Interviews and Observations. During this process, a total of 386 valid questionnaires of school children, 82 valid questionnaires of parents and 74 valid questionnaires of teachers were collected from 11 different schools through field survey. Besides, also be taken "observer-as-participant" in the period of program, and 8 program planners and operators accepted individual "semi-structured" interview. After analyzing the information, the main results achieved are as below： First, most consumers have the positive appreciation for program contents, but teachers and parents still hope that zoo curricula could integrate classroom lessons and outdoor education in zoo-visit field trips. They suggest zoo educator to design some dynamic curricula, for example, "observation/experience/exploration", "game/performance" and "collection/ specimen", and so on. In addition, the one-day shuttle is arranged by Taipei Zoo Education Office now, it doesn''t think about the difference of schools. Furthermore, teachers think about a few shortcomings of program have to modify, there are "design and plan", "schedule" and "the content of interpreter". They also suppose that zoo should plan a comprehensive out-of-school activity, not only an hour for interpreter. Second, the part of limitation, the four event: "order", "weather", "children''s attention" and "a large mass of children" make the maximum influence. Moreover, teachers and parents all agree with "safety" and "materials" are the most important element of program. And, the interpreter also hope teachers and parents could assist to maintain order or take care about the children''s safety. It''s a pity that the needs of both consumers and operators didn''t discuss in advance. What''s more, lack of interpreter is the biggest difficulty in zoo, and they are trying to recruit the volunteers. Until now, zoo education office didn’t set up a formal evaluation system for environmental education programs. Most interpreters who accepted survey think if the interaction with all participator (including children, teachers and parents) is great, the program is successful. However, almost all the volunteers learn to lead the 4th grade children by experience, and they are short on professional course. The outcome of research also shows that compared with other items, the interpreters have to strengthen their ability about “handle the children”, “voice” and “time-controlling”. Finally, recommendations for out-of-school activity and follow researcher were also proposed.