Measuring Zoo Visitor Learning and Understanding about Orangutans: Evaluation to Enhance Learning Outcomes and to Foster Conservation Action

Autor/inn/en	Pearson, Elissa L.; Dorrian, Jillian; Litchfield, Carla A.
Titel	Measuring Zoo Visitor Learning and Understanding about Orangutans: Evaluation to Enhance Learning Outcomes and to Foster Conservation Action
Quelle	In: Environmental Education Research, 19 (2013) 6, S.823-843 (21 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1350-4622
DOI	10.1080/13504622.2012.763112
Schlagwörter	Recreational Facilities; Animals; Wildlife; Conservation (Environment); Exhibits; Signs; Knowledge Level; Intention; Scores; Attitude Change; Behavior Change; Program Effectiveness; Foreign Countries; Attitude Measures; Teaching Methods; Misconceptions; Questionnaires; Multiple Regression Analysis; Australia + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Freizeiteinrichtung; Animal; Tier; Tiere; Conservation; Environment; Konservierung; Bewahung; Umwelt; Zeichensystem; Wissensbasis; Attitudinal change; Einstellungsänderung; Ausland; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Missverständnis; Fragebogen; Australien
Abstract	Despite the endangered status of the orangutan, very little research has sought to understand what people know about this species or the conservation challenges they face. As zoos are well placed to influence such understandings, the present study sought to explore knowledge following a visit to orangutan exhibits at three Australian zoos ("N"?=?240). Two learning assessments were utilised, capturing (1) self-reported learning and (2) understandings in relation to the information zoos prioritise for inclusion on exhibit signage. The relationship between the latter, attitudes toward orangutans and intentions for future conservation behaviour were also explored. Higher knowledge scores were significantly (indirectly) associated with intentions for future conservation behaviour through higher attitudes (indirect effect?=?0.15, std. error?=?0.05, "z"?=?3.12, "p"?<?0.01). In turn, the zoo visited, satisfaction with orangutan activity levels, having visited orangutan natural habitat, a zoo visit in the previous 12-months, and older age were all associated with higher knowledge scores (model "R"[superscript 2]?=?20.3). The importance of enhancing visitor understandings (e.g. through improved exhibit design and signage displays, and through encouraging repeat zoo visits) for conservation action is discussed. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10