How evident is the apparent? Students’ and teachers’ perceptions of the terraced landscape

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate how Greek students and teachers perceive and interpret a cultural landscape element, namely cultivation terraces, in terms of the various uses and values (economic, environmental, ecological and cultural) that they may represent for those involved in the educational system. The study was carried out with a structured questionnaire, addressed to 362 students and 97 geography teachers, with different types of exposure to terraced landscapes: (1) inhabitants of the larger metropolitan area of Athens and (2) inhabitants of the Aegean islands of Lesvos and Nisyros – both featuring highly terraced agricultural landscapes. Results indicated that terraces per se escape the respondents’ perception, irrespective of respondents’ age. Students’ knowledge about terraces seems to be inadequate, although both the concept and the issue appear in geography curricula and geography textbooks. The respondents’ general attitude toward the terraced landscape was positive, while the majority of survey participants placed the primary value of terraces on their soil and water management properties. Teachers’ perceptions regarding the terraced landscape are not reflected on the students’ respective knowledge. Finally, findings seem to point out that everyday life experiences play a positive role in the formation of lay attitudes toward local environments and landscapes.

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