Goals and Objectives of Teaching Biology with reference to Bloom’s Taxonomy

Goals (Aims)

1. Aims are directions in education

2. It is not easily attainable

3. Aims are related to the entire education system within and outside the classroom

4. Aims may not be achieved through the education programme alone

5. Aims are broader and general in nature

6. Aims cannot be changed from subject to subject

Goals of Teaching Biology

1. To develop the scientific literacy related to the discipline:

Scientific literacy means a firm understanding of the nature of the science and its interrelationship with technology and society. This implies:

·                          a good science background – knowledge of related facts, concepts, theories with the ability to apply them

·                          a clear understanding of the ever changing nature of science

·                          a positive attitude towards science and technology related to it (for eg: genetic engineering)

·                          ability to make value judgement and decisions in issues related to the science based on societal needs

·                          ability to use scientific method to solve problems related to biological phenomena and to make decisions appropriate to day-today life

·                          sufficient process skills in science, which would enable a person to function in a better manner as a citizen

2. To create an awareness of national goals with reference to:

            (i) Population control

            (ii) Increase of food production

            (iii) Eradication of diseases

            (iv) Better nutrition

            (v) Improvements of livestock and development of fisheries

            (vi) Conservation of   natural resources

3. To raise the standard of living

4. To effect social change

Objectives

            An objective is said to be a part of aim – a part that would help in gradually teaching the ultimate goal moreover

·                          objectives are points of achievements in a direction

·                          it is easily attainable

·                          objectives may be changed from subject to subject

·                          objective can be achieved

·                          objectives are shorter goals and it is specific in nature

Objectives of Teaching Biology

1.      Development of process skills like observation, classification, communication, measurement, estimation and prediction.

2.      Acquisition and understanding of knowledge, development of the skills for problem solving and ability to think logically as well as to draw conclusions on the basis of experiments.

3.      Development of the ability to reach generalizations and to apply them for solving life problems.

4.      Development of understanding of inter-relationships of science and society.

5.      Fostering of creativity leading to innovations in science.

Interdisciplinary approaches in the school curriculum –various branches related to life science

Science is one of the important subjects in school. It can be taught in relation to many other subjects. Physics, Chemistry and biology are the three branches of science. Now-a-days there are separate teachers to teach each branch of science in schools. It can be discussed under three heads

1. Relationship of Biology with other branches of science:

            It is said that no subject is independent and every subject is dependent on the other. This dependency is more among the three branches of science. All the branches of science are interdependent upon each other and there are a number of facts and principles, which are common to various science subjects. As a result of this new subjects like Physical Chemistry, Biophysics, Biochemistry, Soil Chemistry, Geophysics etc., have been introduced. In order to create interest and effectiveness in learning, the teachers should teach his subject in relation to other subjects.

(i) Relationship of Biology with physics:

            The principles of physics are applied in biology. When the biology teacher teaches about eye, he can compare it with that of camera. In order to understand the images formed in the eye knowledge about the image formation by the convex lens is essential. A new branch of science called Biophysics resulted as a result of this relationship.

Biophysics:

            It is the branch of science, which explains about the application of the methods and principles of physics to biological phenomena. The electron Microscope and X-ray diffraction apparatus are the instruments, which are based on physical principles. These instruments are used to study the physical arrangement and functioning of biological materials at the molecular level.

            A number of physical principles are essential for the life of the living organisms. Plants require water to live. Plants absorb water from the soil by osmosis. The basis of osmosis is density which is a physics principle.

            All living organisms stand, walk and run. For all these activities, gravity is responsible. If there is no gravity all organisms cannot stand, walk or run.

            Pressure is responsible for blood circulation in man and other animals and for root pressure in plants. In this way physics can be relate with biology in number of relationships.

(ii) Relationship of Biology with chemistry:

            Biology is more closely related to Chemistry than Physics. The chemical substances we used daily in our food.

Biochemistry:

Chemistry deals with the structure and functions of various elements in the world. Biochemistry deals with the chemical substances and chemical changes that are found in the living organisms. This branch combines the knowledge of chemistry and its methods on living organisms.

            The food molecules are the combinations of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. These are chemical substances. We take these chemical substances in the form of food.

            The composition of enzymes, the changes that take place in food substances, digestion, absorption and assimilation are all biochemical activities.

2. Relationship of Biology with other school subjects:

(i) Relationship of Biology with Mathematics:

            The knowledge of mathematics is important for the understanding of science especially biology. Mere numbers, decimals, proportion, inverse ratio, equations, graphs, etc, are some of the topics. The number of plants and animals in a particular place, the ratio of one organism to the other, the proportion of substances present in cell and simple calculations in genetics and physiology require mathematical knowledge.

(ii)Relationship of Biology with History:

            History is a subject that tells about the past events. When history is associated with biology we can narrate the life history of the scientists associated with a particular topic and the contributions that they have made in the topic along with years. Story of man, story of earth, development of different branches is some examples.

(iii) Relationship of Biology with Geography:

            Geography deals with the land forms, climatic conditions, rainfall, sunlight, etc., in a particular place. A particular type of plant is seen in a particular place because of their adaptations to that place. So, geographical conditions are closely related to living organisms.

(iv) Relationship of Biology with language:

            Language is a medium through which express our ideas and communicate among ourselves. Pupils can be asked to write essays on plants or animals.

3. Relationship of Biology with environment:

            The environment consists of two types of facts. They are physical factors and biotic factors. Physical factors are light, pressure, temperature, availability of water, rainfall, nature of soil, etc. The biotic factors are the living plants and animals. The nature of living organisms is controlled by physical as well as biotic factors. The nature of living organisms according to environment is called adaptations.

Reasons for the inclusion of biology as a subject in school curriculum

1. Intellectual value

            One of the most important values of Science is that it has introduced us to new ways of thinking and reasoning. Science trains us to be more careful, systematic and intelligent in our thought and action. It inculcates the spirit of enquiry and provides strength to face hardships and failures. Science sharpens our intellect and makes us honest in intellectual pursuits as well as critical in observation and reasoning. It develops an increasing awareness about us, about fellow creatures and above the universe.

2. Utilitarian value

            Right from birth to death, all our activities are controlled and fashioned by Science. The value of Science in practical field is limitless. It has restored eyes to the blind, hearing to the deaf, legs to the lame, may even provide life to the dead so to say. It has found out ways of health, ways to improve crops, and various sources of energy. In short, the achievements of Science and its impact on society are so great that it is essential to have at least some elementary knowledge of science to become a useful member of the society.

3. Vocational value

            Science forms the basis for a number of vocational studies. A student of science can select medical, agriculture, engineering or any other allied profession which he is interested in and fit for. The study of Science at school forms the basis of all productive activities in the later life of the students. Perhaps it is due to the vocation al value of Science, that the subject has become so dear to man.

4. Cultural value

            Science has played an important role in determining the culture and civilization of all societies. It has much impact on our way of thinking and way of living. The cultural aspect of Science should be fully appreciated by science students. The history of scientific development, the thrilling adventures of scientists, their spirit of sacrifice, etc, exalt Science to a position higher than and more appealing than humanistic studies. The welfare of our civilization is dependent upon scientific progress.

5. Moral Value

            To know the truth, to do the right, to love beauty are three inborn desires of man. These values-truth, goodness and beauty-condition our activities and make our lives worth living. Science is the pursuit of truth, as science is an activity where truthfulness is the most essential condition for success. In any endeavor, one with a scientific temper and outlook will certainly maintain a high level of moral standard.

6. Aesthetic value   

            Science manifests itself as the desire for beauty. It is in the aesthetic aspect that the whole charm of Science lies. The scientist experiences an intrinsic charm in revealing the harmony of nature. To a man of Science, Science is an art, and he himself is an artist. Science seeks after truth and as Keat says “Truth is beauty”. Science has given us much facility to enjoy the beauty of natural and artificial phenomena and thus to experience the thrill and pleasure arising out of appreciation of beauty.

Biology in School Curriculum- its claims for inclusion

        Biology has emerged a bit late though schools were teaching hygiene and human physiology for a long time. After some years biology was replaced by Botany and Zoology. At the end of last century, the separate courses of Botany, zoology and human physiology were unified into a course known as “Biology”. It was right to think of biology At the end of last century, the separate courses of Botany, zoology and human physiology were unified into a course known as “Biology Some isolated experiments were also added.

            In the last twenty years, the situation has changed drastically. Not only has the content of biology been brought up-to-date in the schools, but the teaching approach has also been changed from taxonomic to inquiry approach. Today it is not sufficient to teach cell or tissue. It needs teaching of D.N.A. and the process, which helps in its replication. Today biology need not be a simple grouping of phenomena for the sake of description, classification and correlation. Biology students are no longer concerned with memorization of facts alone. They are interested in relating facts to the understanding of a given process. A problem-solving attitude prevails among the students. Hence, biology should be learnt and taught as a process of inquiry. Biology teaching should be consistent with the nature of biology.  This needs an acquisition of concepts, doing the processes of biology and understanding the relationship of biology with society. Today biology teaching is based upon broad conceptual schemes, feeling a touch of methodologies biology occupies an important place. Since it is the only subject that deals with living organisms pupils are attracted towards this subject.

Definitions of Science

      According to Fitzpatrick, Science is a cumulative and endless series of empirical observations which result in the formation of concepts and theories, with both concepts and theories being subject to modification in the light of further empirical observations. Science is both a body of knowledge and the process of acquiring it.

            Dr.F.R.Schlessinger defines,”Science is a process of the human intellect. It is a way of thinking, a way of doing, a method of discovering new relationships in the physical and biological universe. It is also the product of the process.”

Meaning of Science

             Science is viewed by a common man as a body of scientific information. To a scientist, it is a method by which hypotheses are tested. But to a philosopher it is a way of questioning the truthfulness of knowledge. The term Science is etymologically synonymous the truthfulness of knowledge. It does not imply that all knowledge is Science. But Science is knowledge acquired in a particular way. So Science is truth and search for truth.