Analogies Used in a General Biology Course: How Is DNA Conserved across Generations?

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Analogies Used in a General Biology Course: How Is DNA Conserved across Generations?
Language: English
Authors: Nazli Rüya Taskin Bedizel, Nursen Azizoglu
Source: Journal of Science Learning. 2023 6(4):374-386.
Availability: Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia. Jl. Dr. Setiabudhi No. 229 Bandung 40154 Jawa Barat - Indonesia. e-mail: jslearning@upi.edu; Web site: http://ejournal.upi.edu/index.php/jslearning
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2023
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Science Education, Genetics, Biology, College Science, Logical Thinking, College Faculty, Teaching Methods, Concept Formation, Scientific Concepts, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Turkey
ISSN: 2614-6568
Abstract: The present study has two main goals. First, it aims to examine the analogies an instructor uses about "DNA conservation across generations" in a university-level General Biology course. Second, it aims to examine the analogies used in those lessons according to Thiele and Treagust's framework. A qualitative case study design is adopted in the present study to investigate the cases in depth. Data were collected from an instructor with 35 years of teaching and research experience during a general biology course. According to the results, the instructor used many analogies, but seven of them were about to explain DNA conservation across generations. These analogies were analyzed by quoting the instructor and using figures and the classification mentioned above framework. It was noted that most of the analogies used by the instructor about DNA are structural-functional, verbal-pictorial, concrete, enriched, and embedded activators. For students to learn abstract concepts such as DNA correctly, this study provides examples of analogies that have been tried with well-established similarity relationships between source and target that engage students in the lesson. The effectiveness of the analogies on students' achievement and problem-solving skills can be tested in future studies.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: EJ1413589
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:The present study has two main goals. First, it aims to examine the analogies an instructor uses about "DNA conservation across generations" in a university-level General Biology course. Second, it aims to examine the analogies used in those lessons according to Thiele and Treagust's framework. A qualitative case study design is adopted in the present study to investigate the cases in depth. Data were collected from an instructor with 35 years of teaching and research experience during a general biology course. According to the results, the instructor used many analogies, but seven of them were about to explain DNA conservation across generations. These analogies were analyzed by quoting the instructor and using figures and the classification mentioned above framework. It was noted that most of the analogies used by the instructor about DNA are structural-functional, verbal-pictorial, concrete, enriched, and embedded activators. For students to learn abstract concepts such as DNA correctly, this study provides examples of analogies that have been tried with well-established similarity relationships between source and target that engage students in the lesson. The effectiveness of the analogies on students' achievement and problem-solving skills can be tested in future studies.
ISSN:2614-6568