This study focuses on investigating the changes in perception among students and teachers towards plants and animals after being exposed in classroom or school environments. It also examines how students view plants and animals as pets in the classroom and how teachers consider these organisms as learning tools. These exposures to uncommon plants (Monstera species) and animals (snakes, tortoises, spiders, and fish) are through access to a unique plant and animal facility at the school. To examine the effects of experiences with plants and animals on students and teachers, a Google survey was conducted, comprising a mix of multiple-choice questions (to quantify the effects) and open-ended questions (to allow freedom of expression). This survey targeted students and teachers who had access to the plant and animal facility for at least two years. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected to quantify the effects on a large scale and to uncover the reasons behind these effects using content analysis. The results indicated that both groups exhibited changes in attitude, although the nature of the change varied depending on the type of organisms. These findings highlight the critical role of social interaction and experiences in shifting students and teachers perceptions, reflecting a key component of the learning process as outlined in Vygotsky's theory of cognitive development. Another major finding reveals that teachers recognize the educational benefits of hands-on learning with animals, supported by Dewey's experiential learning theory, while students show a preference for animals over plants due to their more active engagement with animals. Finally, the results were discussed to elucidate the broader educational implications of integrating plants and animals into teaching and the overall perceptions of plants and animals as educational resources.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:mau-69213 |
| Date | January 2024 |
| Creators | rauthan, Manish |
| Publisher | Malmö universitet, Institutionen för naturvetenskap, matematik och samhälle (NMS) |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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