Species knowledge in pre-service teacher education: Experiences from an educational activity

Abstract

Experiences shows that the knowledge of species among teacher students has decreased the last twenty years, and recent research from different parts of the world shows the same: The knowledge of species is decreasing. As an introduction to their science teacher education 39 students followed a course over seven weeks, where they learned more about plant and animal species in three different biotopes: forest, mountain and freshwater. The students replied to a questionnaire five weeks after the course. Both the three days field course and making their own collection of different plants and animals had great positive impact on the students learning of species. The students expressed that the practical work with plants and animals has increased their interest in science, will have positive impact on their work as science teachers and has increased their pleasure to be out in nature. The author ask for a discussion about species knowledge, biodiversity and field work in teacher education. FULL TEXT IN SWEDISH.