A Novel Conceptual Model Of Environmental Communal Education: 
Content Analysis Based On Distance Education Approach

Environmental education as a learning process increases people's knowledge and awareness about the environment. Although in some countries, the Environmental Communal Education (ECE) is the core of the environmental education by formal and informal organizations and groups, but, it has not clarified the meaning of the ECE’s concept. Therefore the aim of this study was to scientific clarification of the ECE and to develop conceptual model by using the distance education approach. In this study to concept clarification of the ECE, five-step method of Norris was used. Also, a summative content analysis approach is used to interpret meaning from the content of text data. Findings from the content analysis of ECE plotted as a conceptual model. The results of the content analysis led to the extraction of meaning units, sub-codes and the main themes. According to data explication 6 themes extracted. They were Condition-based, Methods-based, Learner-based, Concern-based, Workgroup-based, and Field-based. On the base of themes and operational definition the Hexa-based model of the ECE developed. According to extracted operational definition and the Hexa-based model of the ECE, the diversity of the target population and educational content, it seems the most appropriate teaching methods, are the distance education methods.

___

  • Cañas, A. J., Novak, J. D., & González, F. M. (2004). Using Concept Maps In Qualitative
  • Research. Paper presented at the The First Int. Conference on Concept Mapping, Spain. Carley, K. (1993). Coding choices for textual analysis: A comparison of content analysis and map analysis. Sociological methodology, 23(75-126).
  • Chrobak, E., Sobrino, & Ponzoni, E. M. (2008). Concept Maps For Qualitative Analysis-The
  • Traces Of High School In Graduates From Patagonia. Paper presented at the The Third Int. Conference on Concept Mapping, Finland. Creswell, J.W., & Clark, V.L.P. (2007). Designing and conducting mixed methods research:
  • Wiley Online Library. Daley, B. J. (2004). Using concept maps in qualitative research. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the First International Conference on Concept Mapping.
  • Farajollahi, M., Zare, H., Hormozi, M., Sarmadi, M.R., & Zarifsanaee, N. (2010). A conceptual model for effective distance learning in higher education. Turkish Online
  • Journal of Distance Education-TOJDE, 11(3), 63-77. Glasziou, P. (2003). Systematic reviews in health care: a practical guide: Cambridge Univ Pr.
  • Hsieh, H. F., & Shannon, S. E. (2005). Three approaches to qualitative content analysis.
  • Qualitative health research, 15(9), 1277-1288.
  • Hsieh, Hsiu-Fang, & Shannon, Sarah E. (2005). Three Approaches to Qualitative Content
  • Analysis. Qualitative health research, 15(9), 1277-1288. doi: 1177/1049732305276687
  • Jia-nan, C. (2012). Contributions of Environmental NGO to Environmental Education in
  • China. IERI Procedia, 2, 901-906. Keegan, D.J. (1980). On defining distance education. Distance education, 1(1), 13-36.
  • Kuckartz, U. (2001). MAXqda. Software for qualitative data analysis: Berlin: VERBI
  • Software. Consult. Sozialforschung. GmbH. Lackey, N. R. (2000). Concept clarification: Using the Norris method in clinical research.
  • Concept development in nursing: Foundations, techniques, and applications, 193-208. Maxwell, J. A. (2004). Qualitative research design: An interactive approach: Sage
  • Publications, Incorporated. Mehri, Soheil Najafi, Ebadi, Abbas, Karimooi, Majideh Heravi, Foroughan, Mahshid, & Sahraei, Hedayat. (2012). Experiences Living With Fatigue in Iranian Veterans Chemically
  • Injured by Sulfur Mustard Gas: A Phenomenological Study. Asian Nursing Research(0). Monroe, Martha C. (2010). Challenges for environmental education evaluation. Evaluation and Program Planning, 33(2), 194-196.
  • Neuendorf, K. A. (2001). The content analysis guidebook: Sage Publications, Incorporated.
  • Norris, C. M. (1982). Concept clarification: An overview. Concept clarification in nursing, 11
  • Palmer, J. (1998). Environmental education in the 21st century: Theory, practice, progress and promise: Routledge.
  • Petticrew, M., Roberts, H., & MyiLibrary. (2006). Systematic reviews in the social sciences: A practical guide: Blackwell Pub.
  • Rodgers, B. L., & Knafl, K. A. (1999). Concept development in nursing: Foundations, techniques, and applications: WB Saunders Co.
  • Salsali, M., Mohammadpur, A., & Fakhr Movahedi, A. (2007). Principles and techniques of concept development. Tehran: Boshra.
  • Shobeiri, SM, Prahallada, NN, & Omidvar, B. (2007). A comperative study of environmental awareness among secondary school students in Iran and India.
  • International Journal of Environmental Research, 1(1). Stapp, W. B., Bennett, D., Bryan, W., Fulton, J., MacGregor, J., & Nowak, P. (1969). The concept of environmental education. Journal of environmental education, 1(1), 30-31.
  • Stemler, S. (2001). An overview of content analysis. Practical assessment, research & evaluation, 7(17), 137-146.
  • Stevenson, R. B. (2007). Schooling and environmental education: Contradictions in purpose and practice. Environmental Education Research, 13(2), 139-153.
  • Torgerson, C. (2003). Systematic reviews: Continuum International Publishing Group.
  • Unesco, Unep International Environmental Education Programme, & Unesco. Division of Education for the Quality of, Life. (1990). Environmental Education: Selected Activities of
  • Unesco-UNEP International Environmental Education Programme 1975-1990: UNEP- Unesco.
  • Weber, R. P. (1990). Basic content analysis (Vol. 49): Sage Publications, Incorporated.
  • Wheeldon, J. (2011). Is a picture worth a thousand words? Using mind maps to facilitate participant recall in qualitative research. Qualitative Report, 16(2), 509-522.
  • Wheeldon, J. P., & Faubert, J. (2009). Framing experience: concept maps, mind maps, and data collection in qualitative research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 8(3), 52
  • Zhang, Y., & Wildemuth, B.M. (2009). Qualitative analysis of content. Applications of social research methods to questions in information and library science, 308-319.