Enhancing Conceptual Understanding and Environmental Literacy Using Online Learning Modules on Ecological Systems
Geminna Wel C. Del Rosario and Maricar S. Prudente

Department of Science Education, BAGCED, De La Salle University, Manila

Abstract

The threats of environmental problems necessitate urgent attention and action. To solve these problems, the inclusion of Environmental Literacy is recognized as an essential part of the curriculum in Science. Moreover, schools are mandated to be innovative and resourceful in delivering quality, accessible, and relevant education amidst COVID-19. With this, the researchers developed, implemented, and examined the use of Online Learning Modules in an effort to improve the teaching of ecological systems, thereby improving the students^ conceptual understanding and their environmental literacy. The Online Learning Modules on Ecological Systems (OLMES) was designed, developed, and validated for teaching Science to Grade 6 students (n=60). Results revealed that students^ conceptual understanding on ecological systems significantly changed after the exposure to OLMES (t = 21.81) with a large effect size (d=3.07). Improvement on students^ environmental literacy was also evident after the implementation of the study. This is supported by the increased scores on the different variables on environmental literacy survey (ecological knowledge t=12.49, verbal commitment t=5.38, environmental sensitivity t=2.55, environmental feelings t= 3.82, issue analysis and action planning t=13.11, and actual commitment t=4.45). Classroom observations, and students^ responses during interviews and in their reflection logs also showed that the conceptual understanding and environmental literacy of the students had significantly improved after the OLMES implementation. Overall, the evidences provided in this study imply that the use of OLMES contributed to the improvement of teaching practices which resulted to better conceptual understanding and improved environmental literacy among the student participants.

Keywords: environmental literacy, ecological systems, science education, online distance learning, online learning module, conceptual understanding

Topic: Biology Education