IJIET 2026 Vol.16(5): 1245-1251
doi: 10.18178/ijiet.2026.16.5.2593
doi: 10.18178/ijiet.2026.16.5.2593
Enhancing Undergraduate Students’ Understanding of Environmental Concepts through Digital Learning Materials
F. Genara V. Verangel
Environmental Science Program, Aklan State University, Ibajay, Aklan, Philippines
Email: verangel.genara@asu.edu.ph (F.G.V.V.)
Email: verangel.genara@asu.edu.ph (F.G.V.V.)
Manuscript received August 11, 2025; revised September 8, 2025; accepted November 27, 2025; published May 15, 2026
Abstract—Misconceptions hinder effective environmental education. This action research examined the conceptual understanding of five key environmental topics—climate change, the greenhouse effect, global warming, the carbon cycle, and ozone depletion—among 290 Science, Technology, and Society (STS) students across four campuses of Aklan State University in the Philippines. Employing a one-group quasi-experimental pretest–intervention–posttest design, data were collected through a validated 30-item Concept Test on Climate Change (CTCC) administered online via Google Forms. A digital Learning Material (dLM) served as the intervention. Statistical analyses, including descriptive and inferential statistics, were conducted using Jamovi software. Results revealed that students performed best on items related to ozone depletion, while their understanding of the carbon cycle was the weakest. No significant differences in scores were found by sex; however, significant differences emerged across academic strands. Importantly, post-test results showed a substantial improvement in students’ conceptual understanding after the intervention. The study recommends diversifying technology-supported teaching strategies and strengthening environmental advocacy programs in higher education to foster deeper environmental literacy among 21st-century learners.
Keywords—climate change, conceptual understanding, digital learning material, environmental education, inquiry-based learning
Copyright © 2026 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).
Keywords—climate change, conceptual understanding, digital learning material, environmental education, inquiry-based learning
Cite: F. Genara V. Verangel, "Enhancing Undergraduate Students’ Understanding of Environmental Concepts through Digital Learning Materials," International Journal of Information and Education Technology, vol. 16, no. 5, pp. 1245-1251, 2026.
Copyright © 2026 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).