Concepções alternativas sobre microorganismos: alerta para a necessidade de melhoria no processo ensino-aprendizagem de biologia.

Abstract

Difficulties found at schools in relation to the quality of the teaching-learning process, ranging from lack of physical structure of school environments to the lack of preparation and commitment of the teachers involved. The main target of complaints from teachers is the lack of infrastructure at schools, the lack of specific materials and also the amount of excessive hours, which undertakes the planning and interferes on the quality of student learning. This work presents and discusses the results of a study conducted in a high school located in Paraíba state (Brazil). The research aimed to analyze the knowledge of 327 students of 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of high school about microorganisms, as well as check the way these students interpret the microorganisms' activities related to their everyday life. Results obtained through the questionnaires showed that most high school students still have misconceptions about the microorganisms. A lot of students still associate closely microorganisms to disease. However, some of them demonstrated to know the importance of non- pathogenic microorganisms, although they were confused in some situations as the consideration of the presence of such organisms in various environments. Given the results is possible to consider that teachers need to use alternative teaching that lead to improved cognitive development, seeking to know the prior knowledge to mediate the relationship between what is known and new information. For this , each teacher can get to work hands-on activities through alternative low cost materials, field classes, play activities as a teaching tool, leaving behind those traditional classes.