Wutthisak Bunnaen

By Wutthisak Bunnaen

This chapter presents the “Development of Authentic Biology Learning Activities, Mahasarakham University Demonstration School (Secondary)” research study. The study included a sample group of 160 students in Grade 10 at Mahasarakham University (MSU) Demonstration School (Secondary), Thailand, divided via purposive sampling into an experimental group of 80 students and a control group of 80 students. The experimental group used authentic learning techniques to study biology, whereas the control group used normal learning to study the same subject. The study used a quasi-experimental design to assess biology knowledge after learning in both groups as well as the experimental group’s attitude towards the active learning method. The instruments used include a set of authentic biology learning activities, biology knowledge tests, and an attitude questionnaire. Results show that students in the experimental group increased their knowledge of biology after engaging in authentic learning and had a positive attitude about learning via this method. Authentic learning activities in biology give students a better understanding of the subject, evidenced by higher knowledge test scores after authentic learning, and thus is an effective way to organize learning activities for students not only in biology but in other courses of study as well.

Part of the book: Active Learning