NATURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION IN A COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL

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Authors: Editorial Board

GAMTAMOKSLINIS UGDYMAS BENDROJO LAVINIMO MOKYKLOJE-2010 XVI nacionalinės mokslinės praktinės konferencijos straipsnių rinkinys, Anykščiai, 2010 m. balandžio mėn. 23–24 d. NATURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION AT A GENERAL SCHOOL-2010 Proceedings of the Sixteenth National Scientific-Practical Conference, Anyksciai, 23-24 April, 2010

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Authors: Ona Repečkienė

konferencijos sveikinimo žodis / Conference greetings

14-19

Authors: Natalija Bankauskaitė, Sonata Bružienė

At the earliest opportunity in the educational process to choose various training programmes and methods, included non-traditional ones, that stimulate pupils autonomy, activity and creativity, teachers can choose the best and most appropriate methods to obtain training objectives. Teachers use information technologies in order to present the educational material visually and at once to develop the information society. For the most part of their work teachers use computer and video projector, which help to demonstrate presentations, prepared using the Microsoft PowerPoint software, during the lessons. The key information and illustrated material, like photographs and et., is introduced in these presentations. So the teachers structure Stand-Alone-Instructional-Resource (StAIR) presentations which require pupils to answer the questions correctly in order to continue task. This helps pupils to learn and to examine their knowledge by themselves. During the lessons, organized in the computer classroom, pupils are looking for information on-line, using usual search system or visiting websites, recommended by teachers. The interaction board allows to write and save essential information, to use visual material and prepared information, so to access online resources quick during the nature studies. The possibility of daily monito-ring of weather station data on display encourages pupils to take interest in climate change, to analyse various natural phenomena (fog, mist, drizzle, and so on), which often are incomprehensible for children. The use of Information Computer Technology in the learning process makes it’s curriculum more attractive and imaginative, promotes pupils motivation for learning, so concentrates their attention. Children learn to adapt educational material in practical work, what leads to a better quality of learning.

26-32

Authors: Renata Bilbokaitė

The modern visualization is created to help in education processes and is oriented to the evaluation of knowledge. Visualization in science as an essential teaching/learning tool has become of great importance nowadays because the technological progress is raising high requirements for education. External visualization (pictorial representation in a visible form) of objects is transformation of images from 2D to 3D using various types of moving representations. There was organized research to find out level of visualization usage in geography lessons. The research results enclose that computer based visualization is used rarely in nowadays lessons. Teachers mostly use classical visualization tools such as real demonstrations, visualization in paper, drawings, physical models and chalk and board representations. Often geography teachers use traditional visualizations. They use computer based visualization rarely. Computer graphics, computer modeling, computer animation and other tools are not popular in schools. Teachers are thinking that progress of visualization usage was influenced by good economical conditions and good material base in schools: lot of teachers have computers in their classrooms. They have inter-net and computerized auditoria. Also, teachers have noticed that computer based visualization stimulates cognitive abilities and helps to organize effective education. The lack of computer based visualization was stated because of weak material base in some schools, low teachers’ motivation and opinion that classical methods are better.

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Authors: Neringa Epštein, Violeta Varnagirienė

The aim of the research: to ascertain teacher and pupil’s view about breaks at school; to find out the chances of engaging pupils in activities related to Science tasks. The aim of work is detailed by goals such as: first of all the theoretical basics of break were presented; analyzed primary school teachers end pupils view about breaks; were presented Vilnius (Lithuania) and Vienna (Austria) primary class schoolmasters and pupil’s view concerning breaks and their comparative analysis; some activities which could be used during the breaks in the schoolyard has been singled out from the Science coursebook „Raktas” for grades III–IV. After the analysis of scholarly literature we can say, that a break is a necessary part in educational process, which helps to bring back pupils’ headwork, stimulates the efficiency of learning. During analyses I pointed up that the main activity during the breaks in both schools were games. Jumping games are the most popular among pupils. They choose them themselves. During breaks pupils usually are in the playroom. Teachers should allow pupils to spend fheir breaks in the schoolayard and suggest varions activities related to natural science especially when the coursebook „Raktas” for grades III–IV contains many tasks suitable for performing outdoors.

50-56

Authors: Elena Gedvilienė, Diana Prialgauskaitė

Research results provided in scientific literature show that adolescents start their sex life earlier, which determines earlier sexual and reproduction health problems for young people. Therefore the necessity to implement sex education program emerges. It is important to take young people‘s point of view into consideration while improving the programs. The aim of the research was to identify the need for sex education and reveal viewpoint of adolescents about the subject. 99 pupils participated in the research (45 boys, 54 girls). Age of the subjects from 14 to 16 years old. Questionnaire consisting of 32 questions was provided to the sub-jects. The research results showed that two thirds of adolescents are not satisfied with the current sex education. Only 38% of girls and 60% of boys have sufficient information about sex education. Information, related to sex education, most boys receive from the Internet and girls – from friends. In girls opinion, three principle sex life start motives are: emotional maturity; age (17,6 years old) and love for the boyfriend. Motives of boys did not differ from girls‘, firstly is the age (16,5 years old), secondly – emotional maturity, thirdly – love for the girlfriend. Research revealed that the viewpoint of girls and boys differs. Only 9% of girls and even 36% of boys support the sexual intercourse without love. Only 3% of girls and even 38% of boys think that the most important part of sex is to satisfy their physiological needs. Only 20% of boys and 78% of girls, who participated in the research study, disapprove sexual promiscuity.

60-65

Authors: Aušrelė Gesevičienė, Gražina Girdžiuvienė

If one wants to make primary classes’ students interested in something and get involved into some practical work, it is essential to find something interesting. That „something” must be interesting and simple, new but quite well-known and ordinary. Birzai is the district of fertile plains, peaceful rivers and famous past. The unique northern Lithuania’s landscape is often called „Lithuanian Slovenia” by the naturalists. In some places the ground here looks like bombed-out front line: one could see bigger or smaller, deeper or flatter holes. There are plenty of mysteries deeper in the Birzai district’s ground. The nature has been playing tricks here for ages: either here or there, where one could find dolomite or gyps, the processes of underground erosion take place, ground collapses, sinkholes occur. The formed empty underground spaces keep on waiting for their time to show up. The old people keep on telling stories about sunken houses or domestic animals. Sometimes rivulets disappear in the sinkholes or some joined sinkholes form lakelets. The pupils of Pabirze main school’s I and III grades have been observing these processes as well as picking information about them, structuring it, drawing the sinkholes and making their models. The pupils have arranged a scientific-practical conference where they have concluded the results of their work.

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Authors: Aldona Klebonaitė, Dainora Venslovienė, Vida Nuobarienė

A research has been carried on with the purpose to find out the influence of dance, music and other arts lessons in the process of teaching pupils natural science subjects. The method of the research was questioning. The result was stunning obviously. Dance and music lessons stimulate pupils to be interested in nature, to be friendly to nature. As most pupils are interested in animals, they are also stimulated to be interested in plants during dance and music lessons. It was found out that pupils are especially interested in those plants which are important in our ethnic culture such as rues, myrtles, flax, as these plants were worshipped by our ancestors. An integrated lesson of natural science, religion, music and dance „Help the birds, the animals, the trees...“was given to pupils. The aim of the lesson was to educate pupils to respect all kinds of life forms on out Earth. Pupils were divided into groups and each group was given a task. The task was to feel beauty of nature and to imitate various processes of live nature using expressions of arts. The success of the lesson was visually evident because the boxes for feeding birds around the school suddenly became full of bread crumbs and seeds. Pupils also brought vegetables for the animals in the forest. The relationship between science, music and dance lessons is evident. Not only does dance and music lessons help pupils study science but also topics discussed in science lessons stimulate pupils open themselves creatively in music and dance lessons. We hope that our effort encouraged pupils to love nature and will give results in the future.

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Authors: Eugenijus Kurilovas, Virginija Birenienė

The paper is aimed to present the results of the research on the use of international INSPIRE project’s digital learning objects in Lithuania. The research has shown that the integration of Physics learning objects has been aimed at teaching the students’ competencies. These activities have made science education more actual, authentic, and interesting for students. They have provided teachers the possibility to motivate their students, to apply more independent and substantive learning, and has helped to achieve the better learning results. The research results have shown that 64% international learning objects could be used in Lithuanian schools without any localisation, and about 34% would be purposeful to localise before use.

89-100

Authors: Vincentas Lamanauskas

Teaching chemistry faces problems in the majority of countries. The situation is determined by different reasons. It can be maintained that an attitude towards learning chemistry at school is formed by various factors. The problems cannot be addressed only to the process of teaching chemistry. Chemistry as a subject in basic and secondary (upper secondary) schools has major importance in knowledge of the world and it is one of key components of natural science education. Main problem - what extent of chemistry it must be studied in the basic, upper secondary schools and gymnasiums. One of most acute problems of today`s education – low interest to natural sciences and especially to chemistry. One of many reasons of low interest to chemistry – insufficient attention to a component of chemistry in the content of a primary education. For the period of primary school pupils does not receive the basic initial knowledge in chemistry and research skills. On the other hand, teachers of primary classes are not prepared at a sufficient level in sphere of modern natural science education. At the basic school fastening knowledge and skills in the chemistry, received in a primary school proceeds. It is very important, that before studying chemistry as an independent subject, students have received adequate representation about the basic phenomena of the nature. The integrated course of natural science subjects should promote it. In this article some actual aspects of chemistry teaching are analysed. The basic tendencies of chemistry didactics are shown. It is shown that rapid development of modern ICT also directly influences improvement of quality of educational process, particularly chemistry teaching and learning.

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Authors: Evaldas Vylius Navys

Terms are published in this article which must coincide content of a biological science and practice 21 new terms are improved to knowledge field of natural science education. Except for that in clause the expediency of use in green construction of plants outside their natural growth is proved. Terms take information about content of natural science. There are next conclusions in the article: • It is necessary more attention to turn to teachers on concurrence of used terms to the maintenance, • Teachers should pay attention to conformity of terms to the content of employment. • Use of underestimate us terms on employment in initial, the basic and middle schools to count that mistake of teachers and pupils

120-125

Authors: Laima Railienė

Children come in touch with nature very early, so they need help to perceive it. The better a person knows nature, the more he or she individualises, and the links with nature become stronger. Research analytical activity in nature is especially important in all ontogenesis stages of a person. At school scientific work skills are formed despite the fact that maybe not everybody will become scientist in future. It is important to learn to know nature and this will be useful in everyday man‘s life. In common teaching programmes great attention is paid to a scientific thought, cognitive skills‘ development on the basis of students; research activity. Subject knowledge and abilities are important as well as common competence development. Kėdainiai „Rytas“ school conference is a perfect example of this development. Kėdainiai „Rytas“ secondary school has been organising republic students‘ and teachers‘ conference „Nature and we“ for ten years already. Students and teachers from different towns, regions, such as Klaipėda, Kupiškis and others‘ take part in this conference. During ten years students presented 347 research works and projects in the conference „Nature and we“. It is interesting to note that students try to investigate such fields which adults may have never thought of. Students works are not only from different subjects but they are very often integrated with maths, art, economy, Lithuanian. The article given the analysis of the works presented in the conference.

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Authors: Laimutė Salickaitė-Bunikienė, Andrej Rožkov, Ana Diadiūra, Renata Miliauskaitė, Danuta Paškevič

In 2009, at the national scientific and practical conference XV we saying and wrote in the article, printed in a collection of the conference articles (Diadiūra, Miliauskaitė, Pashkevich, Salickaitė-Bunikienė, Rožkov, 2009) about activity of adult high school teachers and students in international MuseumScouts project to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using Evolution program, learning and self-learning opportunities for the integration of the museum, information technology and teamwork. In considering opportunities to exploit the project results in daily pedagogical activities and publicity opportunities, we believe that it is time to look at school work done in the overall context of the evaluation of the project activities. Moreover teachers, classes, educators, museum staff, students and researchers from five European countries (Germany (Berlin), Lithuania (Vilnius, Kaunas and other regions), Portugal (Ponte de Lima), Austria (Linz), and England (Bristol, London) worked in the project MuseumScouts. In accordance with the project was co–operation with different types of museums, art galleries, science centres and staff of historic buildings. In addition, we hope that will prepared the book in the end of project, summarizing the activities carried out in all countries, by its editor, Prof. Triggers, P. and J. Wishart, Bristol University). However, while it will, in accordance with the manuscript of Prof.. Triggers, P. and J. Wishart evaluation materials submitted for each project partner, we can appreciate self–evaluation of their activities in the context, their results and their use during on going natural science educational process. The article considered the specific „sight“ of adult school activity overall project performance evaluation context. Such conclusions follow from this assessment. In particular, educational activities of the project MuseumScouts must be understood as meaning that the project would not be treated as a mere after–school activities. In order to have maximum benefit the teachers and students have to properly allocate time and resources. MuseumScouts method, as well as other learner–directed activities, requires of a teacher professional development, planning, training (learning) management skills and a good, working relationship with students. Self-employed will also need assistance. MuseumScouts projects must be planned by the school technically possibilities. Any potential disturbances for success work of ICT-interference must be identified and, if possible, eliminated. If do that is not realistic you have to change the action line. Similarly, when the school financial capacity cannot allow acquire licenses for such software tools like Evolution, it is necessary to consider other software application tools and use opportunities.

149-157

Authors: Violeta Šlekienė, Loreta Ragulienė

Physics as a science offers great opportunities for new teaching methods and tools integration and their introduction into education process. When studying physics, doing laboratory work or practical task is often needed additional information about the various physical constants or values of quantities. In most cases they are looking in physics textbooks, reference books or manuals. However, such a search takes a long time. We have to turn over more than one manual or textbook, until find the necessary information. Although currently there are mainly used traditional print books, but increasing popularity and development of information technology the electronic manuals are needed. Search information would be much easier with such kind of Physics manual. A brief look at several web sites related to that topic is presented in this article. Electronic manual of Physics created by using computer Macromedia Dream weaver 8, Adobe Photo Shop 7, Macromedia Flash, Microsoft Office, SWF Quicker and SwishMax2 is introduced. Preparation of this manual was based on the fact that it must be informative, easy to use both teachers and students. The idea was that the information would be easily accessible and quickly retrievable. Systematic information on the International System of Units (SI), the fundamental physical constants, the various physical quantities values, the theory of errors, an interactive periodic table, and unit converter is placed in the electronic Physics manual.

165-171

Authors: Ramunė Vanagaitė

Particularly rapid science and technologies development at the and of XX century and the beginning of XXI century changed the relations among people and environment. Knowledge acquired of man was more directed to the satisfaction of his own needs rather to preservation of the environmental balance. It influenced the upbringing, especially in the natural scientific sphere. The performed research showed that an interest of the youth in natural science is decreased and upbringing is non-effective. In Lithuania there is too little attention showed for upbringing of natural science. In strategic education documents there are not enough of unfinished items and contradictions. Today is obligatory to create the entire education space based on open, with interacting influence forms, which could bring up knowledge and ability to keep ties among man and environment harmony. Reaching for these aims very urgent becomes development of natural scientific upbringing and its continuity. In Vilnius college of the faculty of Agrotechnologies is performed agrobusiness management, chemical analysis and food products technologies, veterinary science, landscape architecture and design study program`s subjects connected with natural scientific know how. The tendency is noticed that basic level of natural science knowledge is too low, which has student before entering the college. The main purpose of modern natural science upbringing is literacy of the whole country`s population in this field, for which is important to get consistently in all stages of education.

175-180

Authors: Lida Vilčinskaitė, Alma Jociuvienė, Raminta Matulytė-Šilienė

Kedainiai Jaunimas School is a member of the International eco schools programe. The eco activities sustain pupils’ motivation in attendance, learning and cultured behaviour, subject and universal competences. In order to modernize educational content and environment, school community participates in project-based eco activities and applies non-traditional educational innovations in the following fields: 1. Integrated training; 2. Mini educational research laboratories; 3. Non-formal education activities. New forms, methods and training aids are used by integrating nature sciences with other sub-jects. Practical activities are realized in mini educational research laboratories. It helps students to know the nature world, to research the consistent patterns, identify processes, develop cognitive activity, and communicate with the country’s scientists, ecologists, farmers, foresters. Non-formal education is the integral part of students’ training. Non-formal education strengthens contact with the formal one by providing ability for pupils to develop their creativity, self-expression, ability to take part in project-based activities, to form the decision on further study-ing possibilities, future profession, humanistic attitude and resistance to unfavourable environment. Education innovations are the routine at our school. The contact between nature and human beings gives spiritual and physical strength in the prospect of skills formation.

193-195

Authors: Nataliya Sychevskaya, Teresa Shabunko

In this work the conduction experience of optional courses at School №28, Grodno, Belarus is summarized. Optional courses and courses of pupils’ scientific society are organized in the following di-rections: - natural – scientific; - physical – mathematical; - humanitarian. The importance of optional courses is concluded in the development of pupils’ abilities and interests in the combination to general training, maintenance of steady interests to the subject and the basic course deepening. The optional courses and the subject of the pupils, scientific society play an important role in the improvement of schooling, help school leavers to prepare for Testing and to continue studies at educational establishments successfully.

202-207

Authors: Elena Vasilevskaya, Olga Poddubnaya, Vera Mikula

The teaching of natural sciences is one of the aspects of education in the secondary and university levels of any country. Knowledge and abilities in natural sciences such as chemistry is very necessary not only for students’ own success but also because they have a direct impact on the solution of environmental, industrial, cultural and other key problems of modern life. For this reason, the motivation to study of chemistry is a very important in learning/teaching process. In the article the results of study of motivation to study chemistry of 1st year students of the Belarusian State University and Belarusian State Academy of Agriculture have been analyzed. The research took place in 2009 year. The respondents are 114 students from Chemistry department of the Belarusian State University and 130 students from Belarusian State Academy of Agriculture such boys and girls. We studied the students’ opinion about the chemistry as science and the chemistry as the teaching subject, about their school chemistry knowledge and about problems in their learning of chemistry in the university. Some ways for increasing student’s interest in chemistry will be discussed.