A evolução biológica em diferentes contextos de ensino

Abstract

Biological Evolution is a theme of extreme importance in biology, especially for allowing an integrated view of live beings knowledge. Its approach in the context of classroom is particularly difficult, in teaching for teachers, and in learning for students. Thus, this research aims to identify and analyze the difficulties in addressing this issue by high school teachers in public schools in the city of Santa Maria, and also the understanding of undergraduate students on Biological Science, Nature of Science and Biological Evolution, as well as analyzing the contributions of the History of Science on the teaching of evolution present in biology textbooks. This research shows its focus in a quantitative-qualitative approach, using as collecting instrument questionnaire, interview and document analysis. Analysis and interpretation of data used the Qualitative Textual Analysis and Collective Subject Discourse methods. On teaching practice, teachers even recognizing the importance of Biological Evolution as fact of explanation for the phenomenon of life, considering this more like a theme from a list of contents than an integrator axis which permeates all areas of biology. The visions of Nature of Science for students do not deviate from a popular view of science and beliefs can influence the acceptance or rejection towards scientific explanations. They have mostly a coherent understanding with evolutionary ideas accepted by science and only a small proportion of students shows distorted views about evolutionary thought. In the matter of history of science, it is adequate on the books verified. The implications of this study for the teaching of science should contribute as a reflection for teacher's pedagogic practice, and future teachers creating new paths in teaching-learning process, compatible to scientific knowledge.