Relationship between the Working Methods and Lower Secondary School Students’ Performance and Attitudes towards Biology

Abstract

The contribution of different working methods and learning environments to grade nine students’ performance in biology as well as their attitudes towards biology as school subject were studied. The research is based on the data collected for the assessment in natural sciences at comprehensive schools by the Finnish Board of Education in 2011. The survey data of the present study consisted of 2989 ninth grade students from 97 comprehensive schools. Students’ performance in biology was clearly correlated with the positive attitude towards biology as a school subject. There were strong correlations between the performance and teaching approaches, which emphasize students’ activity in experimental investigations, making observations, pondering of causes and effects as well as applying knowledge to everyday live. These inquiry-oriented approaches correlated also with the positive attitude towards biology. There were also correlations between positive attitude to biology and teacher-led conversations, pondering of different viewpoints, taking account of students’ opinions and ideas in teaching and the methods emphasizing students’ autonomy and self-evaluation. Positive attitude correlated also with the teaching approach, by which students received information about the development, structures and mechanisms of the world. Directed teaching did not correlate with the performance in biology or the positive attitude towards biology. To enhance students’ performance and positive attitudes in biology, it would be important use experimental work and inquiry-based learning in biology education.