Educational Research and Reviews

  • Abbreviation: Educ. Res. Rev.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1990-3839
  • DOI: 10.5897/ERR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 2008

Review

Using new technologies in creating excitement in biology laboratory activities

Nkadi Onyegegbu
  Institute of Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 24 September 2007
  •  Published: 31 January 2008

Abstract

The rapid growth of biological knowledge is placing it prominence among the sciences. For this reason, biologists are realizing that their responsibilities have changed, as new technological devices are redefining biology. With new trend in information technologies, the biology teacher has to ensure that s/he is current in the content matter, method and technological devices. How sure and ready is the Nigerian secondary school biology teacher with the new technological devices in the laborartory activities? Biology teachers’ indifference towards laboratory activities has remained a problem as most of them still use lecture style that has not changed in decades. It is not difficult to break away from this pattern and present activities with new technological devices to students in a manner that excites and sustains their interests. This will not only help them in changing the ambience in the lab, but also expand their talent pool, provide opportunities to enhance the educational value of the activity, and stimulate the desire to learn. The main focus of this paper is on the new technological devices that can be used by the biology teacher during laboratory activities. The paper also highlights the strengths in using these technological devices in some selected topics in biology. Challenges faced by biology teachers and students are also discussed.           

 

Key words:  Technologies, creativity, biology