The level of knowledge of prospective biology teachers on gene technology and their source of information

Miraç Yılmaz,Tuncay Öğretmen

doi:10.14527/pegegog.2014.022

Miraç Yılmaz, Tuncay Öğretmen

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.14527/pegegog.2014.022

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Abstract

The Gene Technology includes an area of various implementations (health, agriculture etc.) on which we shall have knowledge and which will be our guide in our actions. This is of particular importance notably when it is evaluated in terms of the instructors providing education on these issues to the public. Knowledge and literacy on gene technology is acquired through educational institutions and various sources of information. The aim of this study is to assess the level of knowledge of prospective biology teachers on gene technology, and to investigate the sources of knowledge on the related subject. 135 prospective biology teachers participated in this study. Descriptive analyses were carried out for the items, the frequencies were interpreted and cross tabulation analyses were used. The results of this study demonstrate that the prospective biology teachers possess predominantly a low-level knowledge on gene technology (69.6%) and mostly feel that their knowledge on gene technology is scanty, regardless of whether they have taken courses on the subject or not. The top sources of the prospective teachers (over 60% as frequency) are television documentaries on gene technology, and journals, biology/chemistry teachers and experts from universities on the related area.

Highlights

Gene technology (GT), which is referred to as “modern biotechnology”, is an area that we encounter more and more frequently in our daily lives and on which we are to possess knowledge and judgment
Safety, reflection of the ethic/moral status of particular applications and ecologic effects arising from GT and the development of personal judgments and considerations should be dealt with in an earnest manner According to Gaskell et al (1998), the role of public on the process of gene technological developments and changes are less but important, and the influence of these publics may be increased in recent years
The level of subjective knowledge of the prospective biology teachers on GT and the sources they used on GT were questioned with a questionnaire

Summary

Introduction

Gene technology (GT), which is referred to as “modern biotechnology”, is an area that we encounter more and more frequently in our daily lives and on which we are to possess knowledge and judgment. Safety, reflection of the ethic/moral status of particular applications and ecologic effects arising from GT and the development of personal judgments and considerations (approval/rejection, risk perception, ability to evaluate the benefits and dangers) should be dealt with in an earnest manner According to Gaskell et al (1998), the role of public (as consumers, patients and individual citizens) on the process of gene technological developments and changes are less but important, and the influence of these publics may be increased in recent years This fact points to the significance of knowledge acquisition on GT and that of its education (Chen & Raffan, 1999; Connor & Siegrist, 2010; Harms & Bayrhuber, 1999; Harms, 2002; Gaskell, Bauer & Durant, 1998; Gaskel & Bauer, 2001; Schallies & Wellensiek, 1995). Our attitude towards GT, which will occupy a larger place in our life in the future, as decision-makers, implementers and users, is a mystery

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