Biology is interesting, enjoyable and relevant : to what extent?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the aspects of biology that students find interesting, enjoyable and relevant in biology. It also aimed to find the methods of instruction that the students find most enjoyable in order to learn biology. Another aim of this study was to check whether the topics of biology presented in the SEC biology syllabus are being found as interesting and relevant by the students. This study also aimed at checking whether there was any change in the level of enthusiasm for biology during the biology course and what were the factors attributing for this change. A questionnaire was distributed to 500 students from Forms 3, 4 and 5 in Junior Lyceums, Area Secondary, Church and Independent schools. From this research it resulted that students' interest in biology is affected mostly by their experience in the biology lessons. The topics that students found most interesting and relevant were those related to human biology. It also resulted that a significant number of students applied biology knowledge when taking decisions in their lives. Students' enjoyment in biology was increased mostly when a variety of activities is held during a biology lesson. The microscope was the resource enjoyed most by the students. Fieldwork followed by discussions, were the two learning activities enjoyed most by the students. Teachers were found to be the persons affecting most students' perception of biology. There were changes in students' enthusiasm for biology. Significant results were obtained when interest, enjoyment and relevance aspects were analyzed by gender, type of school and year of study.