Pre-service Teachers’ Comprehension of Renewable Energy Sources

Abstract

This study aims to identify pre-service science teachers’ comprehension of renewable energy sources. The study was conducted with a qualitative research method. 33 pre-service science teachers were included in the study group. A purposeful sampling method was used in choosing the participants in the study. The study data were collected through 15-20-minute semi-structured interviews. The interview form containing questions prepared by the researchers on why to prefer renewable energy sources, whether or not the use of renewable energy sources was necessary, and how to promote the use of those sources was used in the interviews. All the interviews were voice recorded by taking the consent of the participants. The data obtained from the interviews were transcribed and then put into a computer by the other researcher and analyzed by content analysis. During the analysis, themes were created after the codes and categories were determined. After that, the data were divided into themes. The findings were considered in three themes and the results obtained were evaluated generally. Although it was considered a result that the pre-service science teachers stated their views in three different themes, the fact that the low rates of the views stated can be interpreted as that their comprehension of renewable energy sources is inadequate.