Journal Article

Students' Perceptions of a Highly Controversial yet Keystone Species, the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog: A Case Study

Fox-Parrish, Lynne, Jurin, Richard R.

2008

Overview

The authors used a case-study methodology to explore the perceptions of 30 9th-grade biology students relative to black-tailed prairie dogs. The case study, which involved classroom- and field-based experiences that focused on black-tailed prairie dogs, revealed 3 major themes: apathy, egocentrism, and naive conceptions. The authors had hoped that these experiences would promote a change in attitude and understanding among the participants relative to black-tailed prairie dogs. Given the findings of this study and the current literature, the authors provide suggestions for educators attempting to promote change in attitude toward target species of wildlife.

• Publisher: Heldref,Heldref Publications,Taylor & Francis Inc
• Subject: Adults / Anglo Americans / Animals / attitude / Attitude Change / Behavior / Biology / black-tailed prairie dog / Case Studies / case study / Charter Schools / Class Activities / Classrooms / Consciousness Raising / Conservation (Environment) / Core Curriculum / Cultural Influences / education / Environment / Environmental Education / Field study / Field Trips / Grade 9 / High School Students / Hispanic Americans / Keystone species / Learning Activities / Mexican Americans / Negative Attitudes / Positive Attitudes / Prairie dogs / Program Effectiveness / Research methodology / Rodents / Secondary school students / Secondary schools / short-grass prairie / Social Problems / Student Attitudes / Student Interests / students / Urban Areas / Wildlife / Wildlife conservation