Brain-based Learning Principles in the Science Curricula Content of the Basic Education Stage in the Sultanate of Oman: An Analytical Study

Abstract

The study aimed to identify the level of including the principles of brain-based learning in the content of Oman science curricula for grades (5-8). The study followed the analytical method. The analyses included two units of the science curriculum for each grade from grades 5 to 8 in government schools for the academic year 2020/2021. The total number of units was 16 including the student’s book and the activity book for the first and second semesters. An analysis card was designed for the content of science curricula. Experts in the field verified the validity of the instrument. The reliability was obtained using inter-rater and test-retest methods. The results showed that the twelve principles of brain-based learning were included in the content of Omani science curricula for grades 5 to 8 with varying proportions. The results also indicated statistically significant differences in including the standards of the principles of brain-based learning among the grade levels. The percentage of including these standards in each grade was different from the other grades. The rate of including principles increased with the progression of the school level. There is consistency and continuity in including the standards of the principles of brain-based learning across grades at the school level covered by the current study. The study recommended taking advantage of the list of indicators of brain-based learning principles when developing the books of basic education 2. Keywords: brain-based learning principles, science curricula, grades (8-5(, Oman, Analytical Study.