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

LAIMUTĖ ŠIMONIENĖ, a chemistry teacher-methodologist at the High School of Ignalina District

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 includes 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 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 also is useful. Every pupil may choose a topic that is interesting to him and 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 evaluation is based on a set of criteria such as amount of information, relevance, rendering of information, vividness of style etc.

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