Abstract

OCCELLI, Maricel; VALEIRAS, Nora  and  BERNARDELLO, Gabriel. Biotechnology in Secondary Textbooks: A Study of Textbooks Used in Córdoba, Argentina. Rev. electrón. investig. educ. cienc. [online]. 2015, vol.10, n.1, pp.34-44. ISSN 1850-6666.

This work attempts to characterize the way in which secondary textbooks in Cordoba, Argentina, present biotechnology topics. The methodology used is content analysis, from which quantitative and qualitative techniques and instruments are combined. The sample includes twelve biology textbooks, which were selected considering the information collected by interviews to eight teachers. The aspects analyzed are: in what biology topics is biotechnology presented in textbooks; what contents are developed; what formats (text, images and activities) are used; in what textual hierarchy and how deep are the contents presented; and, finally, what contextual elements are included. The results obtained indicate that few biotechnology contents are developed in textbooks in any depth. Most biotechnology contents are included in complementary readings outside the main text used for a chapter, and few contextual elements are provided. These shortcomings point out the need to make printed and digital textbooks and curricular materials that give a response to the current situation of textbooks.

Keywords : Textbooks; Biotechnology; Secondary School; Content Analysis.