DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ACTIVITY IN COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL: SOME THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS

Abstract

The formation of scientific research activity abilities in comprehensive school is undoubtedly, a very important sphere still awaiting of particular attention. Current teaching and learning process has basically changed looking from the paradigmatic point of view. Teaching subjects become the means of realization of learners’ demands and interests. Scientific research activity is not an entertainment, but a very responsible, thorough work requiring great self-independence. During this activity children’s analytic thinking becomes stronger, information search and usage abilities are being developed, they can learn to analyze the accumulated material, make presentations, prepare research reports and so on. By doing scientific research, learners approach new knowledge and new methods to solve problems of daily life. The main question is how to combine scientific research and science education. First of all we should elaborate specific policies how to encourage our learners to do scientific research. According to E.Šapokienė (1994), exploration is „a form of the organization of the educational process, when pupils become familiar with the basic methods of research, learn easily comprehensible elements of research methodology, obtain knowledge and skills to individually investigate phenomena of natural and environmental life“. This is also very important from political point of view. After qualitative analysis of the scientific information sources it is possible to separate some categories of importance of the scientific research activity of learners, for example, careers counselling, development of cognitive abilities and skills, formation of values system, development of intelligence, creativity etc. Scientific research activity in comprehensive school is undoubtedly a meaningful, integral sphere, however, for developing such kind of activity in Lithuanian comprehensive schools not an adequate attention was paid up to now. Insufficient attention devoted to scientific research activities is one of the reasons why the classes of ‘Science’ are not popular among students in different countries. We can safely assert that especially in primary school practically not an appropriate attention is paid to formation of scientific-research abilities. It is obvious, that modern teaching process is not favorable orientating pupils for scientist (researcher) career. In the given article the basic documents regulating education in Lithuania are analysed. The conclusion is drawn that the attention to scientific research activity of students is given ever less attention. Key words: scientific research activity, career, comprehensive school, science education.