Learning to See Plants: Overcoming Future Teachers’ Plant Blindness Through Outdoor Educational Activities

Yıl 2026, Cilt: 55 Sayı: 249, 177 - 214, 01.02.2026

Sena Seçil Akpınarlı , Galip Akaydın , Pınar Köseoğlu

https://doi.org/10.37669/milliegitim.1637327

Öz

Plant blindness—defined as a lack of awareness and appreciation for the essential role of plants
in human life and biodiversity—has gained increasing attention as a barrier to environmental
literacy. Addressing this issue is crucial, particularly for future biology teachers who will guide
the next generation’s understanding of plants. This study investigates the impact of outdoor plant
observation activities on the plant identification knowledge and attitudes of biology pre-service
teachers and explores their perspectives on outdoor education. Using a one-group pre-test, posttest,
and retention test design, 81 biology pre-service teachers participated in 90-minute observation
sessions spanning four weeks, during which they observed plants across diverse ecological contexts
and compiled memory cards for each species documented. Results show a significant improvement in
plant identification skills and positive shifts in attitudes towards plants, with partial retention observed
over time. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews indicate that participants found outdoor
education motivating and beneficial for long-term retention. Despite challenges such as weather
conditions and group size, participants emphasized the effectiveness and engagement of learning
directly in nature. Many expressed intentions to incorporate outdoor activities and technological tools
in their future teaching practices to enrich student learning and combat plant blindness.

Anahtar Kelimeler

plant blindness , plant identification knowledge , attitudes towards plants , outdoor education , pre-service biology teacher

Bitkileri Görmeyi Öğrenmek: Açık Hava Eğitsel Etkinlikler Yoluyla Geleceğin Öğretmenlerinin Bitki Körlüğünü Aşmak

Öz

Bitki körlüğü, insanların bitkilerin biyosferdeki ve insan yaşamındaki rolüne yeterince dikkat
göstermemesi ve bitkilere karşı düşük düzeyde farkındalık ve ilgisinin bulunması olarak tanımlanan
bir kavramdır. Bu olgu, çevre okuryazarlığı açısından önemli bir engel teşkil etmektedir. Özellikle
gelecekte biyoloji öğretmeni olacak bireylerin bu konuda bilinçlenmesi, öğrencilerine bitkilerin
önemini doğru ve etkili bir şekilde aktarabilmeleri açısından kritik bir öneme sahiptir. Bu çalışma,
biyoloji öğretmen adaylarının bitki tanıma bilgisi ve bitkilere yönelik tutumlarının açık hava bitki
gözlem etkinlikleri yoluyla nasıl değiştiğini incelemektedir. Ayrıca öğretmen adaylarının açık hava
eğitimine yönelik bakış açıları da araştırılmıştır. Araştırma, tek grup ön test-son test ve kalıcılık
testi desenine dayanmaktadır. Çalışmaya 81 biyoloji öğretmeni adayı katılmış ve dört hafta boyunca
her biri 90 dakika süren bitki gözlem oturumlarına dâhil olmuştur. Katılımcılar, farklı ekolojik
bağlamlarda bitki gözlemleri yaparak her bir bitki için bellek kartları oluşturmuşlardır. Araştırma
bulguları, bitki tanıma becerilerinde anlamlı bir iyileşme olduğunu ve katılımcıların bitkilere
yönelik tutumlarında olumlu değişiklikler meydana geldiğini göstermektedir. Bununla birlikte
zamanla bazı kazanımların kısmen azaldığı görülmüştür. Yarı-yapılandırılmış görüşmelerden
elde edilen nitel veriler, katılımcıların açık hava eğitimini motive edici ve uzun vadeli öğrenmeyi
destekleyici olarak değerlendirdiğini ortaya koymaktadır. Hava koşulları ve grup büyüklüğü gibi
bazı zorluklara rağmen, katılımcılar doğrudan doğada öğrenmenin etkili ve ilgi çekici olduğunu
vurgulamışlardır. Çalışmanın bir diğer önemli bulgusu, öğretmen adaylarının büyük bir kısmının
gelecekte öğrencileri için açık hava etkinliklerini derslerine entegre etmeyi planladıkları yönündeki
ifadeleridir. Ayrıca teknolojik araçlardan faydalanarak bitki öğretimini daha etkileşimli hâle
getirme niyetlerini dile getirmişlerdir. Bu bağlamda açık hava eğitimi ve dijital öğrenme araçlarının
bir arada kullanılması, bitki körlüğünü azaltmak ve çevre okuryazarlığını artırmak için önemli bir
strateji olarak öne çıkmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

bitki körlüğü , bitki tanımlama bilgisi , bitkilere ilişkin tutumlar , açık hava eğitimi , biyoloji öğretmen adayı

Kaynakça

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