Schülervorstellungen zur Desertifikation
Ergebnisse einer qualitativen Interviewstudie zu vorunterrichtlichen Vorstellungen von Schülerinnen und Schülern der 7. Klasse
Preconceptions are a crucial factor in the educational learning process. Therefore, the
investigation of preconceptions is important for learning and teaching also in the field of
geography. This study examines the preconceptions of 12- and 13-year-old students on
the major environmental problem of desertification. The students’ preconceptions were
collected by conducting problem-centered interviews. These interviews (n=13) were
then evaluated using qualitative content analysis. Results show quite complex preconceptions
concerning causes, processes, effects and measures to counter desertification.
Regarding the causes of desertification, three basic preconceptions were identified: water
consumption inducing drought, climate change generating high temperatures and wind
blowing sand from deserts to adjacent areas. All in all, natural causes for desertification
are dominant in the students’ perspective. In conclusion, some conceptions can be classified
as alternative ones, whilst others are almost in line with scientific explanations. Based
on the results of the study, implications concerning learning and teaching geography are
proposed, such as focusing on the anthropogenic causes of desertification.
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