EDUCATION METHODS, CONCEPTS AND IDEAS FOR ENHANCING PUPILS’ MOTIVATION AND INTEREST IN NATURAL SCIENCES

By ELVYRA TELKSNIENĖ,

Biology teacher, methodologist at the Verdenė Secondary School in Visaginas

SUMMARY

In the fast-changing contemporary world the school is also developing in order to educate a citizen of the Republic of Lithuania who would be able to live honestly on this Earth and know how to protect it. When working with gifted children, I employ the following principle: “You know more – so help the other!”. And gifted pupils willingly help those who are not so successful. Subsequently, pupils who hanged back become more self-assured, while all pupils have a lesson of tolerance. The gifted pupils are working not only for their own benefit but also for that of their classmates; they collect the information and give it to others. While participating in various activities, pupils obtain academic knowledge and practice in the field of natural sciences.

One of my techniques is an integrated lesson. During such a lesson pupils work in groups since the collective work enhance co-operation and communication skills. Every group usually include pupils of different abilities, therefore, when organising the work in the group, I rely on the gifted pupils who have to help those who hang back. Under such conditions, both the “teacher” and the “pupil” develop their sense of responsibility. Why? Every group has to present its work and before presentation all the group is evaluated, therefore, pupils who played the role of the “teacher” are very interested in proper teaching of the others. Every pupil may become a “teacher” and most of pupils want to become one because this role is “prestigious” and he obtains a “plus” to the total accumulative point (6 pluses obtained in various activities during lessons total 10 points).

Upon completing of the group work, every pupil evaluates his own work, i.e. his contribution into the common work of the group. (I ask a pupil to indicate what portion, in per cent, of a circle represents, in his opinion, his contribution to the common activity of the group). The report as a technique for stimulating interest of pupils in biology is also useful. Every pupil may choose a topic that is interesting to him and then have to collect information until a certain deadline. The report is made during a lesson in the class. The pupil themselves evaluate the reports by making positive or negative comments. The assessment is based on a set of criteria such as amount of information, relevance, rendering of information, vividness of style etc.

Research work and projects may also prompt the pupils to take interest in biology. When carrying out research work or implementing projects, pupils willingly do research by questioning, process the data, draw diagrams, and communicate with scientists or medical professionals. They do their work diligently, conceive themselves the forms of presentation the work. Naturally, the first presentation is done in the class, subsequently, the work may be presented to the school community and then the work takes part in competitions on regional or national level. The recognition of friends and teachers is a good incentive to go deeper into a chosen subject, nevertheless, when a work is recognised on regional level, a pupil fells strongly encouraged.

Working with computer attracts the pupils. By creation and use of slides, it is possible to make lessons more interesting and vivid. I have created an educational aid entitled “Images of the Living World” covering 20 subjects (over 700 slides). The slides are very informative so the pupils widely refer to them when repeating the material, preparing for a questioning or examination or contest. Moreover, the compact disk includes some animations of certain processes, which help the pupils to better understand the processes taking place in living organisms. By using this educational aid, a pupil may control his knowledge, as there are tests of 15 subjects and three versions of sets of structural assignments.

In my opinion, in order to effectively boost the curiosity in the subject, it is crucial to encourage every pupil for his work done, I, therefore, always try to praise a pupil verbally, to incite by a mark or at least by a “plus” to the accumulated point.