Abstract
Literature indicates that littering is a social environmental issue resulting from people’s actions towards the environment. This study was conducted with three families to explore the success of action research and environmental education within a home setup. The intention of the study was to conscientise children towards littering by using progressive environmental action research activities through action research spiral cycles. To know the implication of progressive environmental action research activities at home, the constructivist learning theory and collaborative paradigm, which explored the success of action research and environmental education at home with children, underpins the study. Three out of 14 children served as co-researchers in this study at home after being carefully chosen from seven classes at school. Subsequently, the data of the study was collected from both parents and co-researchers. Interviews, participants’ observations and photographs served as research instruments to collect data. Successively, a coding process and analysis were conducted. The findings of the study reveal that progressive environmental action research activities were successfully implemented to conscientise children towards littering at home. This led the researcher to conclude that if progressive environmental action research activities are conducted through action research, they can empower children to take action towards addressing littering.
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Notes
The ancient Greek word refers to three related but distinct concepts: the family, the family’s property, and the house (https://findwords.info/term/oikos).
The researcher at the time of conducting the study was knowns as Mashiloane, now changed to Matsekoleng.
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Matsekoleng, T.K. Action research and environmental education within a home-based setup to conscientise children towards littering. Environ Dev Sustain 23, 14163–14175 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-01251-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-01251-0