Research Shows Experiential Learning Benefits Biology Students

​Experiential learning involves educators teaching students by immersing them in an activity and asking them to apply concepts related to the subject. An August 2024 article in the Journal of Science Education Research reported on a study that found experiential learning facilitated learning in high school biology students.

In many cases, experiential learning helps students understand the material outside the study. It gives students insight into subjects that might interest them, allows students to collaborate with others, and can instill leadership skills.

The study focused on two research questions related to student attitudes toward biology after participating in research projects and elements of experiential learning. It included 45 high school students attending the Juaben Senior High School in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Researchers selected these students because they had some fundamental understanding of biology, as they had already passed their first year of biology. Further, they were not under pressure to pass final exams like students in their final year of school.

Students engaged in hands-on microscopy, observing and analyzing cell structures and analyzing the differences in these structures. Students also participated in experimental design, critical thinking, problem-solving, data analysis, collaborative learning, reflection, and evaluation.

A pre-and post-student questionnaire focused on whether students understood concepts they studied, could communicate and interpret concepts, and could relate them to life. The post-test results showed that 88 percent of students exhibited that they understood biological concepts, a higher percentage compared with the student pre-test.

More importantly, 91 percent of students reported more interest in the subject, again a higher percentage than in the pre-test. Ultimately, experiential learning in biology increases student outcomes while making the subject interesting.

Toni Brand PHD

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