Nature Connectedness Levels of Teachers who Received Trekking Training with Mixed Research Approach

Abstract

The research is based on an exploratory sequential design, one of the mixed-method designs. In order to determine teachers' level of connectedness to nature, M.N.E (Ministry of National Education) within the scope of in-service training, the Connectedness to Nature Scale was applied to 65 teachers who received trekking (summer) training trainers in Aksaray province. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 teachers selected by random sampling method from among the teachers who participated in the scale. It was seen that teachers' level of commitment to nature is high. Further, the teachers' level of connectedness to nature did not show a significant difference as per the gender and professional service life variables, but there was a significant difference according to the variable of age and school type. It has been determined that as the age of the teachers' increase, their level of connectedness to nature increases. In the qualitative part of the study, it was concluded that teachers feel freer, find peace and are a part of nature when they are in nature. It has also been concluded that the biggest responsibility in nature is not to harm and protect nature.