Content Analysis of Biology Education Research That Used Context-Based Approaches: The Case of Turkey

Abstract

Even if the topics are abstract in biology education, they are very suitable for association to daily life. The context-based learning approach is one of the approaches that is student-centered and provides a connection between daily life and scientific knowledge. Research has determined that the context-based learning approach increases the students’ learning about the subject, their interest, and motivation by using examples from daily life. In Turkey, the context-based approach first began to be used in chemistry education. This approach was first applied in biology education in 2008. Nineteen theses and articles completed regarding the context-based approach in biology education in Turkey were encountered when researched. All of these studies were done by using experimental methods. It was determined in research conducted with students of different age groups that context-based learning has a positive effect on motivation as well as on academic success. The effect of the method can be investigated by studying different subjects within biology and with different sample groups.