Perspectives about Farm Animal Welfare of High School Students from an Animal Protection Club

• Main Authors: Wang, Min-Ling, 王敏玲
• Other Authors: Liu, Shiang-Yao
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/80118691290978301355

碩士 === 國立高雄師範大學 === 環境教育研究所 === 95 === This study explored students’ attitudes toward animals and their perspectives about farm animal welfare through implementing teaching materials of ‘Farm Animals’, originally published by the RSPCA. The teaching materials were implemented in an animal protection club of a high school as an extracurricular activity. Thirty-three students participated in the club in the fall semester of 2006. A survey questionnaire was conducted to assess students’ attitudes toward animals before and after the six week 2-hour instruction. In addition to the survey, multiple sources of data, including classroom observations, students’ reflection papers, worksheet about farm-visit activities, interviews with students and the teacher, and e-mail contacts with the teacher, were analyzed to delineate the teacher’s reactions to the teaching materials and students’ attitudes toward the uses of animals and their perceptions of animal welfare. Qualitative data indicated that students generally accepted the ideas about farm animal welfare proposed by western countries, agreed to the views of farm animals are sentient animals--with capacity to feel and suffer. In interviews, most students stated that they have changed their attitudes toward farm animals after instruction; some of them expressed their willingness of reducing meat eating or would pay more for animal-friendly products as they had more concerns about animal suffering. However, several students were sensitive to this issue for their families’ farming background. They were aware of the dilemma caused by the cost of raising animals with better welfare. Analysis of survey data revealed that students became more committed to animal welfare and held more positive attitudes towards animal protection after the instruction (paired t-test = -6.02, p<.001). Apparently, the combination of observations, interviews, and questionnaires, was useful for examining changes in students’ attitudes and views after joining the club and for evaluating the effectiveness of the instruction. According to the results, researchers propose the following suggestions: 1. Relevant curriculum of farm animal welfare for high school students should be engaged. 2. Opportunities of classes of student clubs and outdoor activities for high school students are suggested for animal welfare education and environmental education in Taiwan.