What is the students' interest in biology after the biology curriculum modification?. Issue 3 (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Čipková, Elena; Karolčík, Štefan; Dudová, Natália; Nagyová, Soňa
• Is Part Of: Curriculum journal. Volume 29:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 370
• Page End: 386
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: Biology curriculum -- interest in biology; Education -- Curricula -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Curriculum planning -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 375.00941
• DOI: 10.1080/09585176.2017.1406811
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-5176

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Decreasing interest in Science among students, confirmed by several investigations, calls for the need to revise the contents of the curricula for Science subjects, including Biology. Modern Biology curricula should not only contain key biological concepts but also provide a teacher with sufficient space to develop students' competencies of scientific work and positive attitudes to Science. When preparing the curriculum, it is necessary to consider also students' interest in selected curriculum topics and their benefit for everyday life. The objective of our research was to identify whether the performed transformation of the Biology curriculum for elementary schools increased the students' interest in Biology and the contents thereof. We were also investigating students' preferences in their interest in Biology topics and their interest in selected teaching methods and approaches. Our research confirmed the positive interest in Biology among majority of students who prefer direct, active participation in the process of knowledge acquisition through the study and exploration of living organisms as well as by the execution and assessment of practicals and experiments.