A Case Study on the Changes in Pre-Service Teachers' Motivations toward Their Studies in Environmental Education Department

환경교육과 학생의 전공에 대한 동기 변화 사례 연구

This study aims to examine the reasons of changes in motivation of pre-service teachers who major in environmental education. Qualitative case study methods were adopted to collect and analyze data from six(6) pre-service teachers in environmental education department. Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with them on the levels of motivation toward their studios. The study results are as follows. The levels of motivation toward their studies were shown differently by each of the pre-service teachers. Some of the pre-service teachers reported that their levels of motivation toward environmental education had changed since the college entrance. The reasons for the changes include 'suitability of environmental education to personal propensity,' 'college courses they took', and 'personal experiences.' Some of the pre-service teachers reported that the levels of motivation for their majors did not changed since he or she was pursuing other goals rather than being an environmental educator.