DIFFERENCES OBSERVED IN HIGH SCHOOL BIOLOGY CURRICULUM IMPLEMENTATION AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL

Dr. Ebru Öztürk Akar
Orta Doğu Teknik University

Abstract

This study reports a part of the research conducted to investigate the implementation process of the high school biology curriculum across the country and identify the local, school and classroom level factors that influence the process of curriculum implementation. It is aimed to identify the factors causing differences at the school level, to determine the underlying reasons of these differences and suggest solutions to the problems faced during the curriculum implementation process at the school level. A survey questionnaire was used to obtain information from randomly selected 685 biology teachers working in public, Anatolian and private/foundation schools in fifteen cities. Teachers were asked about the teaching methods and techniques, and instructional materials they use during instruction, how often they carry out laboratory studies and which strategies they follow during these studies, and the problems they face in teaching biology. The collected qualitative and quantitative data were then analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics, and qualitative data analysis techniques. The results revealed that the implementation process of the high school biology curriculum shows differences at school level. Schools do not have adequate facilities for the curriculum to be implemented in the way it is intended and teachers working in different types of schools do not have access to the similar conditions. In order to ensure that intended constructivist ideas are practiced in classrooms, it is necessary to improve the physical conditions and facilities of schools and provide support in terms of instructional materials.

Keywords

Curriculum implementation, school types, biology education.