The aim of this doctoral thesis is to appraise the efficiency of inquiry-based education in biology (IBSE, inquiry-based science education) and to compare this efficiency with the efficiency of the tuition that uses traditional teaching methods, during the schooling of chosen themes from the human physiology, on different educational levels in the Czech Republic. For the purpose of monitoring the efficiency of both educational attitudes, there were drawn up pretests and posttests. Thanks to them, the level of involved pupils' and students' knowledge of contents and skills, was measured before and subsequently after the application of inquiry based tasks to the laboratory classes. The variety of inquiry based tasks that met the requirements of IBSE, that focused on chosen topics from the human physiology and that complied with the knowledge and age of the given group, was made for the research purpose. The research was realized with elementary school pupils, grammar school pupils and university students. In the lump, there were 145 pupils from the elementary school and grammar school and 168 university students. Pupils and students were divided into the experimental groups, where they solved task with the elements of IBSE, and to the groups with traditional teaching. Conclusions of the researches that were based on the comparing of pupils and students success rate in pretests and posttest showed, the IBSE led to the better knowledge acquirement. But in the comparison with the results of pupils and students from the traditional teaching groups, the improvement was not statistically significant. It was discovered that IBSE leads to the significantly more effective acquirement of science skills (e.g. assessment and suggestion of the science research, design of the scientific and research questions, data interpretation and making of appropriate conclusions). The efficiency was influenced by the educational level (i.e. by the age of involved pupils and students and by the type of school) this approach was the most effective in grammar schools. Given research proves that the application of the IBSE to the teaching of human physiology presents felicitous innovation in the science education. In view of the fact that it leads to the identical or better knowledge adoption and it also significantly develops pupils' and students' scientific skills.

This diploma thesis proposes a modern way of teaching leaf morphology in elementary school. It includes research that builds on the bachelor thesis ,,The leaf as an organ of higher plants - creation of photographic collection of leaves". The theoretical part contains an analysis of the objectives and trends of contemporary learning and teaching methods, and also summarizes the interconnection of teaching leaf morphology with the FEP. The practical part contains an interactive learning program with elements of inquiry-based education aimed at teaching leaf morphology. The research in this paper compares the quality of students' knowledge learned by the compiled program and the students learned the traditional way.

- 2 - Abstract Woodlice (Isopoda) belong to major soil decompositors of plant material and at the same time easily collectible. These organisms are therefore suitable for integration into practical school lessons. The aim of this thesis is therefore to design inquiry-based education using Isopoda as an example of soil decompositors. The first part of this thesis is focused on the theoretical introduction to inquiry- based education. It is also devoted to describe woodlice (Isopoda), explain their morphology, life cycle and cover the most common species of Isopoda occurring in the Czech Republic. A simplified determination key for these most common species is included. The second part of the thesis includes complete instructions on how to use these organisms in practical teaching with elements of inquiry-based education. The manual contains techniques for collecting and storing woodlice. The manual also contains instructions to individual experiments, including the list of needed tools and advice, where to obtain the tools and other didactic materials. The third part of the thesis has a research character, where, based on a questionnaire survey, students' attitudes towards woodlice (Isopoda) and their knowledge shift before and after the practical lesson are evaluated. Keywords Isopoda, inquiry-based...

4 The Abstrakt: The main target of the thesis is to complete and check the materials of inquiry- based education on the topic of 'water in human life'. This thesis has been based on the ESTABLISH project and it is divided into the theoretical and practical part. The theoretical part deals with the characteristics of inquiry-based education, its benefits and history. It introduces us to the national and foreign project and works that treat this type of education. The main passage of the thesis deals with the compilation and verification of materials for the inquiry-based activities within the thematic unit of 'water in human life'. Part of the materials is methodical handbook for teachers and worksheets for individual activities. Further on this thesis includes the results of a questionnaire for students. The feedback reflected verification of the activities and course of materials content and suitability assessment. Consequently, the thesis also includes the application of the questionnaire for educators which evaluated the awareness of the inquiry-based education and its existing usage by biology teacher on Prague grammar schools. Practical part contains the analysis of the exercises focused on water in relation to humans in selected biology and natural science teaching books. The Keywords: Education,...

Diploma thesis analyzes pupils' ability to solve inquiry based tasks in biology lessons with regard to original problem solutions and application of theoretical knowledge. The thesis also analyzes in what types of tasks are pupils more successful and what type of problem solution they prefer. The practical part contains four worksheets with inquiry based tasks, which were created and presented to primary school pupils for the purposes of this thesis. The next part of the thesis is a summary of pupils' solutions, which are discussed at the end of the thesis.

This diploma thesis is focused on incorporating inquiry based mathematics education in lower primary school. The term inquiry based education has been defined and specific signs of this education in mathematics have been found. Some tasks leading to inquiry have been identified with the help of textbooks of Fraus publishing. These tasks have been used to create lesson plans for this kind of education. Chosen lesson plans have been applied in practice and the decision about their usability has been made. Results of these lessons have been described in the evaluation. Stated findings lay the ground for primary teachers to involve inquiry based mathematics education in their lessons.

Differentiated instruction is a pedagogical method used by classroom teachers to enhance student learning. Researchers have described how students benefit from differentiated lessons, but have not explored the relationship between teachers' perceptions of differentiation and student success. This gap is problematic because teachers' instruction directly affects student achievement. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore how elementary (K-5) teachers define, familiarize, use, and perceive differentiation. The conceptual framework was rooted from a synthesis of ideas found in current refereed literature, and the educational concepts and constructionist theories of Piaget and Vygotsky. Purposeful sampling identified 12 participants for individual or focus group interviews. Data were analyzed through an interpretative analysis of open, axial, and selective coding; interpretations were subject to member checking to bolster trustworthiness. The findings revealed that teacher participants understood the textbook definition of differentiated instruction and focused on student grouping to create differentiated classrooms. Despite that understanding of differentiation, participants perceived differentiation as time consuming and challenging due to a lack of materials and diverse populations. Implications for social change focus on mindset and instruction. Administrators and teachers may use these findings to broaden the definition of differentiation. Furthermore, teachers may use this study to gain insight of their personal perception of differentiation, identify materials, and commit to improved pedagogical practices that focus on its versatility in classrooms and improve student learning. Teachers may consider the participants' experiences and change their own existing classroom environments, thus improving student successes.

The aim of the diploma thesis was to create educational presentation for grammar school students according to the inquiry-based education principles and used in the classroom for teaching the thematic unit Water regime of plants, its application in teaching process and inclusion of inquiry-based education into plant physiology lessons at grammar school. A comparative survey which included 90 students was carried out in three first grade parallel classes. The level of students´knowledge was compared on a basis of the achievement test some students attended lessons including educational presentation completed with a worksheet, other students attended lessons providing the same topic in a way of frontal teaching and without the presentation. The goal of this research was to find out if inquiry-based education affects the level of acquired knowledge and if it leads to its permanent preservation. The results were statistically evaluated and clearly classified into tables and graphs.

This thesis deals with teaching methods that can be used when working with pupils of primary school and it focuses on the possibilities to use inquiry-based science education (IBSE).The thesis analyses the literature and choice of topics that may be suitable for IBSE. The thesis proposes and presents four IBSE themes or comprehensive tasks respectively. All these tasks are focused on invertebrates occurring in the garden. Usability of one of these tasks was tested during science instruction in primary school. Results of this testing are presented. The individual teaching and learning procedures and particular tasks for pupils are prepared and arranged to develop their independence and desire to explore and discover. Proposed educational themes and tasks are available for IBSE in primary school.

The diploma thesis on the topic of Subject Matters for Inquiry Based Education of Biogeography in Educational Programmes for ZOO Ohrada in Hluboká nad Vltavou consists of two parts theoretical and practical. The theoretical part is formed by research of literature, in which the author of the thesis discusses literature which was used as a source of information for further processing. The diploma thesis also describes methods used in the theoretical part and for creation of own teaching materials. The author describes importance of extracurricular teaching in ZOO Ohrada Hluboká nad Vltavou and characterizes Inquiry Based Education. The practical part focuses on description and realization of the educational programme as such. Three subject matters of educational programme were made in total. Topics of the programmes are based on the concept of Educational programme in ZOO Ohrada in Hluboká nad Vltavou and characterize representatives of animal groups of snakes, birds and predators. Concept of all the programmes is the same. Each programme includes four parts presentation, practical activity of pupils, competition and working sheets for home.