Learning “Microorganisms”: Science Content, Pedagogical Methods and Students’ Affective Domain

Mahmood Khalil,Reuven Lazarowitz

doi:10.4236/ce.2014.510096

Abstract

The learning unit “Microorganisms” developed by Khalil 2003, for 9th grade students, based on the Science, Technology, Environment, Peace and Society, (STEPS) approach is depicted and its impact on students’ attitudes toward environment and peace was investigated in Arab schools in Israel. It was hypothesized that learning the microorganisms topic, by the methods of instruction and learning used in this study would enrich the learning material of Arab middle schools, and enhance students’ interest in science, technology and awareness toward environmental preservation and peace. The approach of integration of science, technology and societal subjects can determine the impact of this curriculum on the affective domain without neglecting the scientific aspect, and may affect educational values, toward the environment, and peaceful relations among neighbors. The learning unit contained 15 chapters (learning tasks), on microorganisms’ role in nature, science research, food industry, health, and was taught in individual and cooperative learning settings, using a variety of instruction/learning methods in the classroom, laboratory and field trips. The results have shown significant improvement on students’ attitudes toward environment and peace. The outcomes indicate that the unit and the learning/instruction modes used, may serve as a method to improve students’ attitudes on the affective domain.

Highlights

The learning unit meant to unearth the reality of an invisible world
The function of microorganisms in cycles in the nature, their role in the food chain and in the human health were emphasized along the fifteen learning tasks as the main idea, which connected the topics of the learning unit to the STEPS approach
The results show that the students in village “B” showed positive and significant increase in their attitudes toward the preservation of the environment after studying the learning unit

Summary

Introduction

The learning unit meant to unearth the reality of an invisible world. The microorganisms are of paramount significance for the live world and man in the spheres of health, industry, biotechnology and life cycles in nature. The function of microorganisms in cycles in the nature, their role in the food chain and in the human health were emphasized along the fifteen learning tasks as the main idea, which connected the topics of the learning unit to the STEPS approach. This unit aimed to develop the students’ laboratory skills, promote their scientific thinking, enhance their problem-solving skills, their abilities to form independent attitudes, and to make proper evaluations relying on knowledge and reflection. Practical benefits and clear links to daily life were highlighted and the learning material had within its folds societal subjects that marked the concatenation among science, technology and societal issues so the principle of Science-Technology-Society (STS) approach expanded to STEPS, E for environment and P for peace. - The microorganisms have an important role in our life, food, health, medicine, agriculture, environment, elements in cycles in nature and in food industry

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion