Experiential learning with living ants

Abstract

Abstract Experiential learning implying living animals is a powerful tool for accessing positive emotions such as curiosity as well as for changing attitudes or acquiring new values for the further development of the pupils or students. However, formal curricula in schools is legally binding document for ensuring its contribution to agreed competencies, skills, attitudes and values. Therefore, the classical manuals are more cheap and easy to be implemented in the class. However, curricula are not excluding the development of activities in the class in the same curricula in Romania as in many other countries. The purpose of this article is to evaluate knowledge generation based on experiential learning. As a methodology specific lessons and methods have been implemented in curricular and extracurricular activities implying living ants during the biology class of VI grade under the curricula lesson entitled Insects. Our results proved that implementing activities with living animals is positively correlated with an increased curiosity, selfreflection, responsibility and prejudice phasing out. Moreover, tested pupils passed all evaluation tests even they mist, some of activities compared to control group that was learn by classic methods. Parents tests results proved that these emotions and attitudes are also observed during their home activities.