The profile of biology teaching and learning materials from scientific literacy perspective

Many researchers have developed scientific literacy, but no one has done scientific literacy study on biology teaching materials that include environmental change materials. The purpose of this study is to assess scientific literacy in senior high school biology teaching materials utilized by teachers in Palembang's Ilir Barat I district. This research was conducted using biology teaching materials in the form of books and modules used by teachers in grade X in 13 senior high schools in Ilir Barat I district, Palembang, both in public and private schools. This study employed a descriptive technique with content analysis, which included collecting and assessing biology teaching materials for senior high school grade X. All biology teaching materials for grade X of senior high school utilized in Ilir Barat I district Palembang were used as the population in this study, with environmental changes in biology teaching and learning materials for grade X of senior high school as the sample. The findings revealed that the scientific literacy category was represented in the teaching materials used in 13 senior high schools in the district of Ilir Barat 1 Palembang, with an average percentage of 34.24% for the body of knowledge, 45.35% for a method of investigation, 9.75% for a method of thinking, and 10.86% for the category of science, technology, and society interaction.

Effect of simulation and guided-inquiry strategies in elimination of students’ misconception in biology teaching

This study investigates the effects of simulation and Guided-inquiry strategies in elimination of students’ misconception in Biology Teaching in Senior Secondary Schools in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State. Four research questions and four hypotheses were formulated to guide the research. The design adopted for this study is quasi experimental pre-test, post-test control group design. The population of the study was made up of all SSIII biology students, using cluster sampling to select 150 students’ to form the sample size. The research instrument used was Ecology performance Test (EPT). Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. T-test was used to test the hypotheses. The findings among others indicated that students taught with simulation and guided inquiry teaching strategy performed better than the traditional method thereby eliminating student’s misconception on ecological concept in biology. It was recommended among others that biology teachers should be encouraged to explore the application of simulation and guided inquiring strategies in their classroom instruction.

Bimbingan Teknis Penyusunan Bahan Ajar Biologi Berbasis Potensi Lokal Pada MGMP IPA-Biologi Kabupaten Hulu Sungai Tengah

Keberadaan potensi lokal perlu digali sebagai bahan ajar agar proses pembelajaran lebih kontekstual dan bermakna. Keterbatasan pengetahuan guru yang tergabung dalam MGMP guru biologi SMA dan SMP se-Kabupaten Hulu Sungai Tengah memerlukan bimbingan teknis penyusunan bahan ajar biologi berbasis potensi lokal. Kegiatan ini bertujuan memberi bekal dan bimbingan kepada guru-guru biologi sekolah menengah dalam menyusun bahan ajar berbasis potensi lokal. Kegiatan ini dilaksanakan melalui metode ceramah, diskusi, workshop dan konsultasi daring serta penugasan mandiri. Berdasarkan kegiatan yang telah diselenggarakan, diketahui bahwa guru menunjukan antusiasme yang tinggi, sebagaimana terlihat dari proses tanya jawab dan diskusi yang berlangsung sangat dinamis. Banyak guru yang menyampaikan potensi lokal daerah, serta meminta saran dan masukan terkait bahan ajar apa yang dapat dikembangkan. Berdasarkan data yang masuk, terdapat 14 orang guru dari 20 peserta yang sudah mengajukan format pengembangan bahan ajarnya. Dari data 70% peserta yang telah mengajukan format pengembangan bahan ajar ini, menunjukkan peserta telah mendapatkan bekal pengetahuan dan memiliki motivasi tinggi untuk menyusun bahan ajar berbasis potensi lokal sebagai perangkat pembelajaran. Di wilayah Kabupaten Hulu Sungai Tengah memiliki berbagai jenis flora dan fauna, baik yang terdapat di perairan (sungai dan rawa) maupun di daratan. Potensi lokal ini dapat dikembangkan untuk penyusunan bahan ajar Biologi. The existence of local potential needs to be explored as teaching materials so that the learning process is more contextual and meaningful. The limited knowledge of teachers who are members of the MGMP for biology teachers in SMA and SMP in Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency requires technical guidance in preparing biology teaching materials based on local potential. This activity aims to provide provision and guidance to high school biology teachers in preparing teaching materials based on local potential. This activity is carried out through lectures, discussions, workshops, online consultations, and independent assignments. Based on the activities that have been held, it is known that the teacher shows high enthusiasm, as can be seen from the very dynamic question and answer process and discussion. Many teachers convey the local potential of the area and ask for suggestions and input regarding what teaching materials can be developed. Based on the incoming data, 14 teachers from 20 participants have submitted the format for developing their teaching materials. The data of 70% of participants who have proposed this format for developing teaching materials shows that participants have gained knowledge and have high motivation to develop teaching materials based on local potential as learning tools. The Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency has flora and fauna, both found in waters (rivers and swamps) and on land. This local potential can be developed for the preparation of Biology teaching materials.

USING AUGMENTED REALITY IN BIOLOGY TEACHING

In this study, prospective teachers' views on Augmented Reality (AR) in biology teaching were examined. The study was designed as a case study. The study participants consisted of 16 prospective teachers who took Instructional Technologies and Material Design in the third grade of the Biology Teaching Department of the Faculty of Education of a state university in the spring term of the 2018-2019 academic year. During the application process, AR activities were carried out with the students. The data of the study were obtained using the interview form and the "Mobile Augmented Reality Questionnaire" developed by Küçük, Kapakin, and Göktaş (2015). After the activities, prospective teachers were asked for their views about AR in biology teaching. As a result, it was observed that future biology teachers mostly expressed positive thoughts about AR activities. Some advantages of the AR activities were as follows: concretising the subjects; retention; being exciting and entertaining; repetition capability; and multimedia support. Apart from these advantages, some disadvantages were emphasised such as internet connection cut off, the necessity to keep the phone stable, passivation of the students over time, being costly, and not being suitable for every subject. Prospective teachers also suggested extending AR activities in schools, ensuring equality in accessing technological tools, using these activities in different lessons and developing various applications.

7. Amphibians and humans

‘Amphibians and humans’ looks at the relationship between amphibians and humans. As well as creating myths and folklore about amphibians, humans have always made use of them, as they have so many other organisms with which they share their world. Between three and four billion frogs a year are eaten worldwide. Amphibians also contribute a good number of folk remedies for treatment of disease and injury. In addition, amphibians are harvested from the wild for the pet trade. Humans have also used amphibians in biology teaching and research.