The Vocational Upper Secondary Schools Students’ Knowledge and Their Attitudes Toward Wolves

Abstract

Wolf (Canis lupus) conservation is multidimensional. Its aspects include the consensus between different interest groups. The present research aimed to assess the attitude and knowledge of the students (N = 483 students from three schools age 14-19) enrolled in the environmentalist, veterinary and agricultural technician study programmes through a questionnaire, as their profession represents a part of this multidimensional consensus. The research results indicate that students have neutral to positive attitudes toward wolves, generally. Their knowledge of wolves, however, is limited. Agricultural technicians showed the most negative attitudes toward wolves and the lowest knowledge. Overall, correlations between all attitudinal dimensions and correlations between attitudinal dimensions and knowledge were found, with the highest correlations between conservation dimension and all other dimensions including knowledge. The research findings support the widespread assumption that education within the above-mentioned study programmes should focus also on the current socio-scientific issues of animal conservation. Special attention should be given to the education of agricultural technicians as their utilitarian view could interfere with the effective conservation of large carnivores. Keywords: attitudes toward wolves, knowledge about wolves, vocational upper secondary school students.

Wolves’ Conservation through Educational Workshops: Which Method Works Best?

“…However, the relation between gender and attitude ratings was found only in regards to willingness to learn. Female students were slightly more interested to learn about wolves than males, which is consistent with previous research [21,50].…”

“…The summed score of correct answers (maximum = 21 points) was used either as a dependent or independent variable. The list of knowledge items can be found in [21].…”

“…The majority of studies focused on assessing knowledge, attitudes, and acceptance of wolves in an adult population and concerning different stakeholder groups [14][15][16][17]. There are only a few studies where authors assessed a younger adolescent population [18][19][20][21]. One previous study [21] of attitudes and knowledge of vocational upper secondary school students (agricultural, veterinary, and environmental technician programs) revealed general positive attitudes to, but limited knowledge about wolves.…”

“…There are only a few studies where authors assessed a younger adolescent population [18][19][20][21]. One previous study [21] of attitudes and knowledge of vocational upper secondary school students (agricultural, veterinary, and environmental technician programs) revealed general positive attitudes to, but limited knowledge about wolves. Agricultural technicians' attitudes showed a more utilitarian view and their knowledge was the most deficient.…”

The Perception of Biology by Czech Lower Secondary School Students

“…Many studies quoted, that this method is very effective in the understating of the curriculum and also it can be a very important thing to improve attitudes toward biology (Aktamis, Higde & Ozden 2016;Tessie, 2010;Veloo, Perumal & Vikneswary 2013). The inquiry-based methods of teaching is approaching the curriculum of biology for students and they have got a direct contact with many biological phenomenon and it can improve the attitudes toward biology (Orazem & Tomazic 2018;Tomazic & Sorgo 2017;Torkar et al 2010). Also the using of innovative teaching methods like active-learning pedagogies, consistent formative assessment or cooperative group could lead to improving of attitudes toward biology.…”