Dissertations and Theses @ UNI
Availability
Open Access Thesis
Keywords
Biotechnology--Study and teaching--Iowa; Biotechnology--Study and teaching; Iowa; Academic theses;
Abstract
This research studied biology, agricultural education, and family and consumer science teachers in Iowa regarding the topic of biotechnology in their classrooms. The survey study involved collecting demographic information about respondents, which could then be used to characterize those who teach biotechnology and those who do not. The survey also asked about perceived barriers to teaching biotechnology. As the first large scale sampling of Iowa teachers (1477), the survey attempted to provide a picture of biotechnology education in the state. Demographic data showed an aging teaching population, a teaching load of some teachers, especially those in FCS and Ag Ed, that is large and that most teachers are teaching in the same area as their major. The importance of the ISU BOEC program in the state was evident due to its mention as a pre-service experience, in-service experience and as a biotechnology program of which teachers were readily aware. Seventy percent of respondents indicated biotechnology inclusion. Ag Ed teachers had the greatest proportion of biotechnology teachers followed closely by biology teachers, while FCS teachers lagged behind. Many topics of instruction mentioned by teachers were related to biotechnology but others were not. Sex was not likely a determining characteristic of biotechnology inclusion, nor was the degree held by the teacher. A higher percentage of teachers with 0-10 years of experience indicated inclusion than teachers in their second decade or 21 + years of experience. Pre-service and in-service biotechnology education training was a positive factor for the inclusion of biotechnology. Teachers that indicated the inclusion of biotechnology had a lower perception of barriers that may hinder their efforts. Some barriers, such as funding and time, were perceived strongly by all teachers. Objections to the teaching of biotechnology based on moral and ethical concerns, the fit of biotechnology into current curriculum and a lack of support from colleagues and administration were seen as weak barriers to the inclusion of biotechnology. This research can be used to guide and improve biotechnology education efforts in Iowa.
Year of Submission
2006
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Department of Biology
First Advisor
Cherin Lee
Second Advisor
Bart Bergquist
Third Advisor
John Henning
Date Original
2006
Object Description
1 PDF file (155 leaves)
Copyright
©2006 Jason Allen Lang
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Lang, Jason Allen, "Biotechnology Education in the State of Iowa: A Survey of Teachers and Factors Affecting Inclusion" (2006). Dissertations and Theses @ UNI. 2145.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/etd/2145
Comments
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