LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 12 : 5 May 2012
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         S. M. Ravichandran, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
Assistant Managing Editor: Swarna Thirumalai, M.A.

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The Development of Scientific Attitude in Secondary School Biology Teaching

Shafqat Ali khan Ph.D. and Muzaffar Khan

Abstract

A research study entitled as, “The development of scientific attitudes in secondary school biology teaching”, was conducted. For the treatment the pre-test, post-test experimental control group design was used. The main objectives of the study were: First, to find out the effects of inquiry method of teaching in Biology on the scientific attitude of the students; second, to compare the scientific attitudes of students of 9th class of Biology taught through inquiry method and traditional method.

Secondary school students studying science subjects constituted the population of the study. Purposive technique was used to select the sample of the study. 120 students studying biology – this subject was selected as a sample for this study. These students were given pre-treatment of selected biology topics.

Sample students were assigned to two groups, i.e., experimental group and control group on the basis of scores using the observation rating scale for this purpose. The selection of sample pretesting was based on matching, homogeneity and randomization. Each group comprised of 60 students. The control group was taught by traditional method, and the experimental group was taught by inquiry method. To observe the scientific attitudes of the students during teaching two observers were appointed. To determine the effect of two teaching methods in developing scientific attitudes among the students of two groups were compared by using t-test. Statistical analysis of the data showed that inquiry method is more effective for teaching biology for the development of scientific attitudes as compared to traditional teaching method.

Key words: Development, Attitudes Scientific attitudes, Behaviour, Inquiry method.

Introduction

Teaching is the main part of educational process. Teaching is a set of activities which is designed and performed to achieve certain objectives in terms of changes in behaviour. It is the process of helping others to achieve knowledge, attitudes and skills. Knowledge can be used i.e. use of scientific knowledge for further constructing the knowledge. Shrivastava (1983) defined “scientific attitude as “Open-mindedness”, a desire for accurate knowledge, confidence in procedures for seeking knowledge and the expectation that the solution of the problem will come through the use of verified knowledge”. Involving the students in different activities/inquiries they gain facts, concepts along with attitudes. The use of knowledge assists in describing various objects, events and systems. The focus of education is to enable children to use and apply their knowledge and experiences to solve their problems on their own. Performing scientific activities, students collect new information and experiences, which result in the construction of new knowledge.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Shafqat Ali Khan, Ph.D.
Assistant professor of Education
University of Education
Attock Campus
Attock
Pakistan
shafqat_khan4@yahoo.com

Muzaffar Khan
Senior Subject Specialist
Govt. Christian Higher Secondary School
Rawalpindi
Pakistan
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