Begreppsförståelse i biologiundervisning. Undervisningsmetoder för att främja begreppsförståelse i biologi för elever i högstadieskolan och gymnasieskolan.

Abstract

Biology is one of the science subjects taught in Swedish schools, along with physics and chemistry. A significant part of biology education focuses on being able to communicate concepts and use them in new contexts. At the same time, these concepts are often perceived as complex and difficult by many students. This makes it important for teachers to have the knowledge necessary to promote conceptual understanding in biology education, thereby improving teaching and helping students succeed in biology. Previous research has shown that a lack of conceptual understanding among students is one of the main reasons for low performance in science subjects, including biology in both secondary school and upper secondary school. This literature review investigates which teaching methods teachers can use to promote students´ conceptual understanding in biology. To answer the research question in this literature review, a literature search was conducted in the ERIC and Scopus databases, resulting in the inclusion and analysis of 12 research articles. The findings reveal various teaching methods that have a positive impact on students´ conceptual understanding in biology. Most methods highlighted the importance of making abstract concepts less unfamiliar to students by first and foremost taking students´ prior knowledge into account in teaching, as well as using different approaches to work with these concepts in biology education.