How do you teach? Teachers’ perceptions on teaching biology and pedagogical content knowledge skills

Abstract

This research tested 35 high school biology teachers in Surakarta, Indonesia aims to check their perceptions about teaching biology, and analyzed their PCK profiles. Respondents were public and private schools’ teachers who voluntary agreed to join the survey. A multiple-choice test developed based on the indicators of PCK was used to explore teacher’s perceptions. The results showed that 77.14% of teachers preferred to use a kinesthetic teaching strategy, focus on measuring the lower and higher thinking skills (51.43%), and 80% teachers eager to train conceptual understanding and its application instead of preparation for the high stakes examination.This research tested 35 high school biology teachers in Surakarta, Indonesia aims to check their perceptions about teaching biology, and analyzed their PCK profiles. Respondents were public and private schools’ teachers who voluntary agreed to join the survey. A multiple-choice test developed based on the indicators of PCK was used to explore teacher’s perceptions. The results showed that 77.14% of teachers preferred to use a kinesthetic teaching strategy, focus on measuring the lower and higher thinking skills (51.43%), and 80% teachers eager to train conceptual understanding and its application instead of preparation for the high stakes examination.