Comparative analysis of biology textbooks with regard to cellular respiration and photosynthesis
Author
İnanç Gök, Tuğba
Advisor
Sands, M. K.
Date
2012Publisher
Bilkent University
Language
English
Type
ThesisItem Usage Stats
231
views
views
119
downloads
downloads
Abstract
The topics of cellular respiration and photosynthesis in the International
Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and Ministry of National Education
(MEB) biology textbooks were analysed and compared with regard to content,
presentation and learning strategies by using content analysis as a research method.
Interviews were conducted with five practising biology teachers.
Both textbooks follow a general to specific (deductive) order in the topics and have
similar features in terms of readability and typography. The assessment strategies of
neither textbooks focus on measuring higher order cognitive levels.
The differences between the two textbooks are prominent in the content, presence
and absence of major themes, number of student-centred activities, real life
connections and use of technology. The MEB textbook had more comprehensive
content but with many details which were not appropriate for the students‘ level.
While the IBDP textbook included all major themes in the two topics, the MEB
textbook lacked some important ones. The MEB textbook is richer in terms of
student-centred activities, experiments and real life connections. The IBDP textbook
is richer in terms of technology. The findings of the content analysis were supported
by the ideas of the practising teachers.
Keywords
Biology textbooksbiology curriculum
comparative analysis
content analysis
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
IBDP
Ministry of National Education
MEB