In this Masters' Thesis I focused on exploring the impact that experiental learning has on the knowledge and attitude of the students regarding insects. Biology and science teachers should include living organisms in their teaching, as this way of working can lead to an increased interest of the students regarding learning about these organisms, as well as increase the emotional attachment that students feel towards them. However, when live animals are introduced in the classroom, problems may arise due to the students expressing negative emotions that inhibit the learning process. The Biology and Science syllabi for primary schools state in one of the learning goals that the students acquire a positive attitude towards organisms and the environment, which can be achieved in the most optimal way through the inclusion of live organisms in lessons. This also increases the sustainability of the knowledge. I attempted to confirm this by carrying out an activity in three different classes of seventh graders during science lessons. Before the start of the activity, I assessed the students’ knowledge and attitude towards insects. I then conducted a lesson on insects in all classes, where the pupils were introduced to the external structure of insects and their life forms (complete or incomplete transformation). Pupils also learned about the diversity and the role of insects in nature. In two of the classes live organisms were used during teaching, while in the third class they weren’t. After the activity I reassessed their knowledge and opinions.
I have concluded that students' attitudes and knowledge about insects were influenced by experiental learning. Because of a small sample and the short period of time when the study took place, the results were inconclusive. I propose that the study should be repeated over a longer period and a bigger sample size.
While teaching biological subjects in school, teachers should use living organisms because it can prevent negative emotion and assumptions through handling these organisms.
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