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ERIC Number: EJ1415205
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1042-0541
EISSN: EISSN-2162-5212
An Educational Exploration of Generation Z's Systems Thinking Tendencies and Green Consumer Values
Allison Byrd; Kristin Gibson; Catherine Sanders; Rachel Corry; Kevan Lamm; Alexa Lamm
Journal of Agricultural Education, v64 n4 p15-28 2023
University agricultural educators are challenged to employ innovative approaches to prepare undergraduates in agriculture and natural resources to address complex global problems while understanding interconnected systems. Undergraduates, current members of Generation Z (Gen Z), prefer environmental sustainability and innovation, but solutions for addressing these preferences in educational settings remain elusive. Exploring Gen Z's environmental consumption values and how those values relate to their systems thinking tendencies may provide university educators with insights on how to approach complex topics with Gen Z students. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between Gen Z students' green consumer values and systems thinking tendencies. Data were collected using a web-based survey instrument of 68 undergraduate students at the University of Georgia. Findings revealed respondents somewhat agreed they had green consumer values and respondents often used systems thinking when seeking to make an improvement. A Spearman's rank-order correlation coefficient indicated a positive, yet weak, association between systems thinking tendencies and green consumer values. The association necessitates further exploration. University agricultural educators should incorporate systems thinking educational strategies into classrooms to potentially increase Gen Z students' engagement in systems thinking when addressing complex agricultural issues, like sustainability. Additional implications for systems thinking and teaching are explored.
American Association for Agricultural Education. P.O. Box 7607, Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, Raleigh, NC 27695. Web site: https://jae-online.org/index.php/jae/index
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Georgia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A