Developing environmental awareness and sensitivity through comics: student opinions on the eco-warrior character

Süleyman Temur; Salih Uslu

Article Details

Developing environmental awareness and sensitivity through comics: student opinions on the eco-warrior character

Authors:

Süleyman Temur | Salih Uslu

Publisher:

Marmara University

Main Topics:

Coğrafya Eğitimi | Çevre Sorunları

Journal:

International Journal of Geography and Geography Education Issue 56, pp.32-62

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001359081

pISSN:

2630-6336

Keywords:

Abstract:

 In the study, with the aim of increasing environmental awareness and sensitivity, an educational comic book with an Eco-Warrior theme, which combines elements of education and entertainment, was used to draw the attention of students to environmental problems and to raise awareness among future generations about environmental issues. Using a case study design, a qualitative research method, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 fifth-grade students in Hatay province, and the collected data were analyzed using descriptive analysis method. The results of the study revealed that the students perceived the eco-warrior character in the comic book as environmentally sensitive, responsible and conscious individuals and that the actions of this character played an active role in issues such as environmental cleanliness and awareness. In particular, it was observed that skills such as developing empathy, gaining knowledge, and taking personal responsibility for environmental problems were enhanced through the comic books. Among the reasons for preferring comics, the immersiveness of the stories, the messages they carry and visual expression were found to be prominent. The majority of the students stated that the use of comics in lessons made learning more fun and interesting, thus increasing their motivation to learn.

 In the study, with the aim of increasing environmental awareness and sensitivity, an educational comic book with an Eco-Warrior theme, which combines elements of education and entertainment, was used to draw the attention of students to environmental problems and to raise awareness among future generations about environmental issues. Using a case study design, a qualitative research method, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 fifth-grade students in Hatay province, and the collected data were analyzed using descriptive analysis method. The results of the study revealed that the students perceived the eco-warrior character in the comic book as environmentally sensitive, responsible and conscious individuals and that the actions of this character played an active role in issues such as environmental cleanliness and awareness. In particular, it was observed that skills such as developing empathy, gaining knowledge, and taking personal responsibility for environmental problems were enhanced through the comic books. Among the reasons for preferring comics, the immersiveness of the stories, the messages they carry and visual expression were found to be prominent. The majority of the students stated that the use of comics in lessons made learning more fun and interesting, thus increasing their motivation to learn.

 In the study, with the aim of increasing environmental awareness and sensitivity, an educational comic book with an Eco-Warrior theme, which combines elements of education and entertainment, was used to draw the attention of students to environmental problems and to raise awareness among future generations about environmental issues. Using a case study design, a qualitative research method, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 fifth-grade students in Hatay province, and the collected data were analyzed using descriptive analysis method. The results of the study revealed that the students perceived the eco-warrior character in the comic book as environmentally sensitive, responsible and conscious individuals and that the actions of this character played an active role in issues such as environmental cleanliness and awareness. In particular, it was observed that skills such as developing empathy, gaining knowledge, and taking personal responsibility for environmental problems were enhanced through the comic books. Among the reasons for preferring comics, the immersiveness of the stories, the messages they carry and visual expression were found to be prominent. The majority of the students stated that the use of comics in lessons made learning more fun and interesting, thus increasing their motivation to learn.

 Çalışmada, çevre bilinci ve duyarlılığını artırmak amacıyla, eğitim ve eğlence unsurlarını bir araya getiren Eko-Savaşçı temalı eğitici çizgi roman kullanılarak öğrencilerin çevre sorunlarına dikkatinin çekilmesi ve gelecek nesillerin çevre konusunda bilinçlendirilmesi hedeflenmiştir. Nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden durum çalışması deseni kullanılarak, Hatay ilinde 5. sınıfta öğrenim gören 16 öğrenci ile yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiş ve elde edilen veriler, betimsel analiz yöntemiyle analiz edilmiştir. Araştırma sonuçları, öğrencilerin çizgi romandaki eko-savaşçı karakterini, çevreye duyarlı, sorumlu ve bilinçli bireyler olarak algıladıklarını ve bu karakterin eylemlerinin çevre temizliği ve farkındalık gibi konularda aktif bir rol oynadığını ortaya koymuştur. Özellikle çizgi romanlardaki çevre sorunlarına karşı duyarlılık geliştirerek empati kurma, bilgi edinme ve kişisel sorumluluk alma becerilerinin geliştiği görülmüştür. Çizgi romanların tercih edilme nedenleri arasında hikayelerin sürükleyiciliği, taşıdıkları mesajlar ve görsel anlatımın öne çıktığı tespit edilmiştir. Öğrencilerin büyük bir çoğunluğu, çizgi romanların derslerde kullanılmasının öğrenmeyi daha eğlenceli ve ilgi çekici hale getirdiğini, böylece öğrenme motivasyonlarının arttığını ifade etmiştir.

Article Details

Developing environmental awareness and sensitivity through comics: student opinions on the eco-warrior character

Authors:

Süleyman Temur | Salih Uslu

Publisher:

Marmara University

Main Topics:

Coğrafya Eğitimi | Çevre Sorunları

Journal:

International Journal of Geography and Geography Education Issue 56, pp.32-62

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001359081

pISSN:

2630-6336

Educational Comics

Environmental Education

Environmental Awareness

Environmental Sensitivity

Eco-WarriorEğitici Çizgi Roman

Çevre Eğitimi

Çevre Bilinci

Çevre Duyarlılığı

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Süleyman Temur | Salih Uslu

Publisher: Marmara University

Main Topics: Coğrafya Eğitimi | Çevre Sorunları

Journal: International Journal of Geography and Geography Education Issue 56, pp.32-62

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 9/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001359081

pISSN: 2630-6336

Issues

Authors:

Süleyman Temur | Salih Uslu

Publisher:

Marmara University

Main Topics:

Coğrafya Eğitimi | Çevre Sorunları

Journal:

International Journal of Geography and Geography Education Issue 56, pp.32-62

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001359081

pISSN:

2630-6336