INNOVATIVE TEACHING/LEARNING METHODS TO IMPROVE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING CLASSROOM CLIMATE AND INTEREST

Abstract

For successful work in the classroom, it is important to create a positive climate and to involve students actively in the process of learning. The presented research focused on how the students perceived the classroom climate, and on their interest in the contents of the subject Science, Engineering and Technology (STE). 92 primary school sixth- and seventh-grade students had been included in research. Two groups are established, one from a class using mainly frontal teaching methods (control group) and another, expert group from a class using an innovative teaching/learning methods mainly as problem and research-based learning and participatory learning supported with information communication technology. To measure the classroom climate and the students' interest, a survey with 54 statements was used. The results confirmed changes in the perception of classroom climate and in the popularity of contents taught in STE, in relation to the teaching methods used. It was established that innovative teaching/learning methods increase the students′ interest, and help to improve classroom climate. Keywords: classroom climate, students interest, innovative didactical methods, lower secondary education.