scholarly journals Predicting Energy-Saving Behaviour Based on Environmental Values: An Analysis of School Children’s Perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7644
Author(s):  
Wan Nur Hafizah Wan Hussain ◽  
Lilia Halim ◽  
Mee Yeang Chan ◽  
Norshariani Abd Rahman

Energy-saving behaviours are pro-environment behaviours that help mitigate climate change. Environmental values namely biospheric, altruistic, and egoistic one are related to one’s pro-environmental behaviour. Thus, this research examines the contribution of environmental values to the practice of energy-saving behaviour. This research employed the survey design, in which a questionnaire was administered on 341 children (aged 11 years old) in Malaysia. The data were analysed using descriptive and multiple regression analysis. The results showed that children possess all of the environmental values (biospheric, altruistic, and egoistic) and that energy-saving behaviour is found to be occasionally and often practiced in their daily lives. The students’ altruistic values contribute significantly to their energy-saving behaviour pattern compared to biospheric and egoistic values. It is argued that the children’s personal experiences with climate adversity and socioeconomic background underlie these findings. An implication of this study is that the school curriculum should allow for discourse on the connection between environmental values and pro-environmental behaviour. Relating the cause and impact of one’s action in everyday life on the environment should be inculcated across the curriculum, more importantly at the primary level.

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 773-789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angel Ancha Lindelwa Bulunga ◽  
Gladman Thondhlana

Purpose In response to increasing energy demand and financial constraints to invest in green infrastructure, behaviour change energy-saving interventions are increasingly being considered as a tool for encouraging pro-environmental behaviour in campus residences. This paper aims to report on a pilot programme aimed at reducing energy consumption via behaviour change interventions, variably applied in residences at Rhodes University, South Africa. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected via structured questionnaires, energy consumption records and post-intervention programme focus group discussions. Findings Participant residences that received a mix of different interventions in the forms of pamphlets, face-to-face discussions, incentives and feedback recorded more energy reductions of up to 9 per cent than residences that received a single or no intervention. In post-experiment discussions, students cited personal, institutional and structural barriers to pro-environmental energy-use behaviour. Practical implications Overall, the results of this study suggest that information provision of energy-saving tips combined with regular feedback and incentives can result in energy-use reductions in university residences, which may yield environmental and economic benefits for universities, but addressing barriers to pro-environmental behaviour might maximise the results. Originality/value Given the lack of literature on energy conservation in the global South universities, this study provides the basis for discussing the potential for using behavioural interventions in universities for stirring pathways towards sustainability.


Author(s):  
Ige Akindele Matthew

The study investigated the perception of teachers on school-based factors influencing absenteeism of students in Public Secondary Schools in Central Senatorial District of Ondo State, Nigeria. It adopted descriptive-survey design, raised 3 questions and formulated 2 hypotheses to achieve this feat. Data were collected from 150 government appointed and full time teachers, drawn from 15 Public Secondary Schools in the District. Instrument used was a questionnaire, validated and tested for reliability (α=0.82). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences while hypotheses were tested using chi-square statistic at 0.05 level of significance. The study found among others that a lot of school-based factors influenced absenteeism in schools, such as unattractive school environment, lack of recreational facilities; discouraging school curriculum; as well as recommend measures, such as the provision of instructional materials and facilities for schools; the need for private sector assistance in the provision of instructional materials and facilities; seeking assistance from wealthy individuals, corporate organizations, Old Students, Non-Governmental Organizations, by school administrators, among others, to combat this menace in schools.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Melissa Wells

<p>The original idea for this research came from a combination of the work that Richard Sandell has done on social inclusion in the United Kingdom, and my personal experiences with chronic pain. The aim of this research is to make known the experiences of chronic pain survivors in New Zealand and also to bring understanding about a range of invisible illnesses where chronic pain is a major symptom. Research methods used include surveys using quota sampling and content analysis, case studies, and an exhibition proposal.  People living with chronic pain make up one in five New Zealanders, meaning just over 900,000 people have this condition/disability/illness. Yet, have you heard anyone talk about it? Cancer is often spoken about, but it only effects around 20,000 New Zealanders. Mental health problems are contemporaneous but only effect approximately 582,000 people in New Zealand. However chronic pain cannot kill, or can it? Many people who have chronic pain have other co-morbid disorders such as depression. Chronic pain needs more publicity, it yearns to be spoken about and understood. People with chronic pain have said that they feel misunderstood and unheard not only by family, friends and colleagues but also by their medical professionals as well.  This research looks at whether there would be support from both the chronic pain community and healthy New Zealanders for an art exhibition about chronic pain. The exhibition would contain art produced by people with chronic pain and depict their daily lives with their condition(s). It also offers a contribution to museum studies and current practice by attending to a gap in the New Zealand literature, not even well covered by overseas literature, on this subject. It is the first dissertation to focus on pain in a museum/gallery setting in New Zealand and opens up public interaction and discussion about a taboo topic.  New Zealand museums and galleries have to have the ability to challenge preconceived opinions and ideas about chronic pain, as well as the opportunity to engage with a large and often invisible community.</p>


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elmarie Kritzinger

The rate of technological development across the globe is dramatic. The decreasing cost and increasing availability of ICT devices means that its users are no longer exclusively industry or government employees – they are now also home users. Home users integrate ICT in their daily lives for education, socialising and information gathering. However, using ICT is associated with risks and threats, such as identity theft and phishing scams. Most home users of ICT do not have the necessary information technology and Internet skills to protect themselves and their information. School learners, in particular, are not sufficiently educated on how to use technological devices safely, especially in developing countries such as South Africa. The national school curriculum in South Africa currently does not make provision for cyber-safety education, and the availability of supporting material and training for ICT teachers in South Africa is limited, resulting in a lack of knowledge and skills regarding cyber-safety. The research in hand focuses on the situation concerning cyber-safety awareness in schools and has adopted a short-term approach towards cyber-safety among teachers and school learners in South Africa until a formal long-term national approach has been implemented. This study takes a quantitative approach to investigating the current options of teachers to enhance cyber-safety among learners in their schools. The research proposes that short-term initiatives (i.e. posters) can increase learners’ awareness of cyber-safety until formal cyber-safety awareness methods have been introduced.


Author(s):  
John Ekow Hagan ◽  
Solomon Amoaddai ◽  
Vincentia Terkwor Lawer ◽  
Evans Atteh

Aim: The research sought to find out the perception of students towards Mathematics and how it affects their academic attainment in a Ghanaian context. Study Design: Descriptive survey design was used for the study. Methodology: The main instrument used for the study was questionnaire. The sample size for the study comprised of students selected from the three SHSs in Kumasi metropolis using purposive sampling approach. The sample size for the students consisted of 297 students selected by stratified sampling of which 180 were males and 117 were females. Results: The students have positive perception towards mathematics though they see it to be difficult in a sense that it is important as it is used in their daily lives. The relationship between perception and students Mathematics performance in the study was very weak and negatively related. Conclusion: From the study it can be concluded that students’ perception towards mathematics has no influence or effect on their academic performance in Ghanaian senior high schools. It is recommended that students’ positive perception towards Mathematics must be sustained and improved by teachers and headmasters.


F1000Research ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Mfrekemfon P Inyang ◽  
Obonganyie P Inyang

The success of any type of sexual education programme depends on the knowledge and preparedness for practice by adolescents. A recent study has found that an ‘abstinence-only’ sexual education programme is effective in reducing sexual activity among adolescents. Knowledge of abstinence-only sexual education and preparedness for practice as an effective tool for promotion of sexual health among Nigerian secondary school adolescents was studied. An analytic descriptive survey design was used for the study. The research population comprised of all public secondary schools in three southern geopolitical zones of the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 2020 senior secondary school (SS1-SS3) students as sample for the study. A partially self-designed and partially adapted questionnaire from an 'abstinence-only versus comprehensive sex education' debate, from debatepedia (http://wiki.idebate.org/), entitled 'Questionnaire on Nigerian Secondary School Adolescents’ Perspective on Abstinence-Only Sexual Education (QNSSAPAOSE)' was used in eliciting information from respondents. Hypotheses were formulated and tested. Frequency counts, percentage and Pearson Product Moment Correlation were used in analysing data. A greater proportion of secondary school adolescents in this study lacked knowledge of sexual education. About 80% of the respondents could not define sexual education. The general perspective on abstinence-only sexual education was negative, as revealed by the larger number of respondents who demonstrated unwillingness to practice abstinence-only sexual education. Specifically, of those who responded in favour of abstinence-only sexual education, the youngest group of adolescents (11-13 years) and the male respondents were more likely to accept this type of education than the other groups. Poor knowledge of sexual education could be responsible for unwillingness to practice abstinence-only sexual education. Sexual education should, therefore, be introduced into the secondary school curriculum and taught by well-prepared teachers to enable an informed decision on practice.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara El-Deeb ◽  
Maria Correia ◽  
Christian Richter

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate what drives people to show a willingness to mitigate the effects of climate change. To accomplish this goal, this research uses the theory of planned behaviour to examine whether attitude towards climate change, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control are potential determinants of a pro-environmental intention and thus a pro-environmental behaviour.Design/methodology/approachThis explanatory paper applies a Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis to identify the key drivers of pro-environmental intention and behaviour. A non-probability convenience sample of 481 Egyptian respondents was collected.FindingsThis study finds that awareness combined with a willingness to pay to mitigate climate change are key drivers of pro-environmental intention. Moreover, personal responsibility and confidence in the ability to mitigate climate change also trigger climate-friendly intentions. Finally, it is found that societal engagement and willingness to take action increase the propensity to exhibit pro-environmental behaviour.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of our analysis cannot be generalized to the Egyptian population as a whole as our sample only comprises a sample of Egyptian students.Originality/valueThis paper is novel as it is the first that applies Qualitative Comparative Analysis to the Theory of Planned Behaviour. By doing so, the paper sheds light on the understanding of key cognitive, social-psychological and behavioural factors which lead to environmental actions. Hence, it provides policy-makers with a framework to support a more sustainable society.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 121-136
Author(s):  
Okunloye Rotimi William ◽  
Issa Nasiru Olokooba ◽  
Abdulsalam Alliyu Ayodele

The learnability of school curriculum has been attributed to students’ perception of different school subjects which also determines the level of students’ performance and ultimately the achievability of the intended curriculum objectives. Studies had been conducted in other subject areas. However, studies of that type are not common in Civic Education which is relatively new in the Nigerian Secondary School curriculum. This paper examines students’ perception of difficulty levels of the Nigerian Senior School Civic Education Syllabus (SSSCES) and the factors associated with their perception. The population for the study comprised all Civic Education students in Osun State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study and a researcher-designed instrument titled Civic Education Syllabus Perception Questionnaire (CESPQ) was administered to 487 students drawn from 25 Senior Secondary Schools in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. The three research questions raised for the study were answered using percentage, mean and standard deviation statistics. The results showed that the Senior Secondary School Civic Education Syllabus (SSSCES) topics are perceived by students to be of varying difficulty levels ranging from difficult to very simple with an absolute of them being predominantly very simple. The observed difficulty levels were associated with inadequate textbooks, teachers’ presentation of lessons and wide content coverage. These imply that Civic Education is learnable and curriculum objectives are achievable. Based on these findings, it was recommended that teachers should enhance the learnability of the few perceived difficult topics by students through the use of predominantly learner-centred strategies and more learner-friendly strategies to teach the subject.


Author(s):  
Carlos Rodríguez ◽  
Marta Jacob ◽  
Carmen Florido

This work aims to analyse the attitude towards circular economy (CE) and the environmental behaviour and circular practices among tourists of a well-known mature sun and beach destination. The study was conducted on a sample of tourists who visited Gran Canaria and stayed at a hotel establishment. Findings show that: (a) Older tourists have a higher pro-environmental or circular attitude in hotel establishments than younger ones; (b) most tourists are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly or green hotels and this is related to socio-demographic variables; (c) the majority of tourists believe that it is important for the hotel to have an energy-saving policy; (d) tourists’ attitude towards circular practices varies according to socio-economic profile; (e) the most common sustainable hotel practices carried out by tourists are the use of recycling bins and reusable towel and linen schemes; (f) women report a higher circular behaviour than men; and (g) 86.5% of tourists carry out the same CE practices on holidays as in their place of residence. Study findings could be useful to design the transition from a linear model to a circular model in the hotel industry of a destination as it identifies the areas that the industry must promote to reach this transition.


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