The views of preschool educators on the development of environmental awareness through distance education

Abstract

This study explores the efficacy of distance education in fostering environmental awareness among preschool-aged students through the implementation of an educational game. The research investigates preschool educators’ perceptions and attitudes towards distance education, the potential for developing environmental consciousness through this medium, and the impact of a specifically designed teaching tool on students’ environmental awareness. Employing semi-structured interviews with nine Greek kindergarten teachers, the study examines the educators’ experiences following the implementation of the educational game via video-conferencing over a three-week period. Results indicate a generally positive reception among educators toward distance learning, noting its potential for cultivating environmental awareness from a young age. Despite challenges such as parental connectivity issues and internet disruptions, both educators and students adapted seamlessly to the remote learning environment. Educators observed active student engagement and heightened environmental awareness post-game implementation, suggesting the effectiveness of distance education coupled with interactive educational tools in facilitating environmental education.