Gelengül Haktanır

This study aimed to explore preschool teachers' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding early childhood education for sustainability within the framework of sustainability literacy. To achieve this, we validated the Sustainability Literacy Survey, combining three sections: the Sustainable Development Knowledge Scale, the Attitude toward Sustainable Development Scale and the Early Childhood Education for Sustainability Practices Scale. The survey assesses teachers' understanding of sustainability concepts, their willingness to incorporate sustainability into their teaching, and how they implement sustainability‐related practices in their classrooms. We collected data from 345 teachers serving at public and private preschools in Türkiye. Participants varied in teaching experiences and educational backgrounds. Analyses began with exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to establish the validity and reliability of the three scales. Then, we conducted correlation and regression analyses to examine the relationships among knowledge, attitudes and practices, while t‐tests identified differences based on external factors such as school type. The results indicated that education for sustainability practices is primarily driven by teachers' knowledge and attitudes rather than their education level. Although in‐service and preservice programs correlated sustainability‐related understanding, this knowledge did not directly predict classroom practices. Instead, positive attitudes emerged as the critical factor linking knowledge to sustainability practices.

This article is dedicated to examining a bilateral project established between the Republic of Korea and Türkiye, with the overarching objective of elevating awareness and endowing preschool teachers with the capacity to embed education for sustainability (EfS) within their classroom practices seamlessly. For this purpose, a professional development (PD) program was developed regarding three pillars of sustainability and 7R themes. Fourteen preschool teachers attended the PD program. Three teachers participated in this case study to reveal teachers' transformation regarding sustainability and early childhood education for sustainability. The data were collected through pre-post-follow-up interviews and classroom observations. Thematic content analyses were conducted. According to the results, the PD program enhanced and deepened teachers’ sustainability knowledge. In addition, teachers could transfer the knowledge from the PD program on education for sustainability into their practice not entirely but acceptably, and they have a chance to reconsider their lifestyle habits regarding sustainability in many areas.

The aim of this study is to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool for obtaining information about the ecological literacy of adults. For this purpose, a 72-item and three-part measurement tool was created in accordance with information in the literature and presented to experts for their opinions. After finalizing the scale in accordance with the feedback received, the 25-item 5-point Likert-type Ecological Literacy Awareness Scale, the 17-item true/false-type Ecological Literacy Knowledge Test (1), and the 17-item multiple-choice Ecological Literacy Knowledge Test (2) were created. The 59-item draft measurement tool was administered to two study groups. These study groups were selected by convenience sampling method, a non-probability sampling method. The data of the first group were used for exploratory factor analysis and the data of the second group were used for confirmatory factor analysis. It was determined that the finalized 37-item and three-part Ecological Literacy Measurement Tool for Adults (ELMT) was valid and reliable in determining the awareness and knowledge of teacher candidates about ecological literacy.

The qualification of a preschool teacher is one of the important factors that determine the quality of preschool education. To increase the quality in education, teachers should be equipped with the necessary knowledge starting from pre-service training, and in-service training should support the upgrading of their knowledge. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop an e-Mentoring-Based Education Program (e-MENTE:PT) for preschool teachers and to test its effectiveness on their professional development during the in-service support period. The study used a design-based research approach. First, focus group interviews were conducted with one-hundred-and-five preschool teachers to find out their needs. Then, an e-MENTE:PT Program was developed based on these needs and devised to be used on the Canvas learning management system (LMS), which involves all opportunities of e-learning and allows one-to-one e-mentoring. The e-MENTE:PT Program involved twelve modules related to the pedagogical content knowledge of the preschool education program. Each module included contents, goals, module materials, e-books, videos, pre- and post-module evaluation questions, discussion questions, live lessons and e-portfolios, all of which were integrated in the LMS. Next, eighteen full-time and nine substitute voluntary teachers from five different provinces were selected as mentees by means of criterion sampling. Nine academicians working in these provinces acted as mentors and implemented the application, each working with two mentees for two months. Qualitative data were analysed by means of descriptive analysis and quantitative data were analysed by means of the Wilcoxon signed rank test. The research concluded that the e-MENTE:PT program supported preschool teachers’ professional knowledge, learning environments and classroom applications, and an e-mentoring based teaching management system was effective on professional development.

The purpose of this study is to adapt the Berkeley Parenting Self-Efficacy Scale Revised (BPSE-R) to Turkish. The scale is composed of two subscales, parental strategies and child outcomes, and includes 18 items. In the process of adapting the scale and examining its reliability and validity, 354 mothers of preschool children were selected through convenience sampling. After translation-and back translation procedures, the BPSE-R was evaluated by field experts, and the scale items were found to be consistent. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the scale has a two-factor structure similar to the original scale. The fit indices obtained for this two-factor structure were found to be at a good level. The total score Cronbach’s alpha internal consistency coefficient was calculated as 0.91, and the test-retest reliability coefficient was calculated as 0.67. Findings demonstrated that the Turkish version of the BPSE-R has adequate psychometric characteristics and can be used in determining the self-efficacy of parents in Turkey with preschool-aged children. The short duration in which the BPSE-R can be applied and its high reliability make it convenient for use in research.