Class Teacher Candidates’ Opinions on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the Class teacher candidates’ opinions on Genetically Modified Organisms. The study was carried out with 101 teacher candidates who were studying in the 3rd grade of Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University Classroom Teacher Department in 2016-2017 academic year. Of the students who participated in the survey, 56 were girls and 45 were males. Six open-ended questionnaires were used as data collection tools in the survey. In the study, students' opinions on genetically modified organisms were analyzed contextually. Analysis was carried out by calculating the percentage and frequency on the designated categories for each question. In the study, it was concluded that the prospective teachers had knowledge about GMO concept and their usage areas, but did not know about their harmful effects especially to the environment. It has also been determined that classroom teacher candidates have no knowledge of the GMO cultivating and legal arrangements for importing them into the country. How more effective the socio-scientific issues in education faculties is among the recommandations of this study.

Keywords: GMO, Class teacher candidates’ opinions