Designing an optimal educational model to improve the level of knowledge of Tehran citizens towards biodiversity using Digestra algorithm and Ant algorithm

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate Prof., Department of Environment, Faculty of Engineering, Shahrood Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrood, Iran

2 Assistant Prof., Department of Environmental Science, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

3 The National Focal Point of the Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) for the Convention on Biological Diversity

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to provide an optimal educational model to improve the general and specialized knowledge of Tehran citizens regarding biodiversity. In the first step, a researcher-made questionnaire was used to assess the level of citizens' awareness. Then, using the opinions of experts, various educational methods were weighed and evaluated. For this purpose, two target levels were designed as expected scenarios. Digest and Ant (ACA) algorithms were used to accurately evaluate and determine the optimal route with the lowest time and lowest cost. The results showed that women's general knowledge about biodiversity was higher than men’s and vice versa about specialized knowledge. On the other hand, there was a significant positive relationship between biodiversity knowledge and education level. Also, to achieve the first level goal, the "Combined educational model" with a weight of 1.196, and the educational model "Virtual educational model" with a weight of 0.608 were evaluated as the most appropriate and inappropriate educational model for transferring general knowledge to citizens, respectively. Regarding the purpose of the second level, the method of "face-to-face training" with a final weight of 64 and "preparation and distribution of training packages" with a weight of 43 had the highest score. Finally, the optimal path for raising the level of specialized knowledge of citizens has a weight of 161, which includes such things as achieving a good level of general knowledge, creating an educational environment, supporting the formation of environmental NGOs, incentives, needs assessment, and review.

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