PERSPECTIVES ON THE INTRODUCTION OF COMPUTER-SUPPORTED REAL LABORATORY EXERCISES INTO BIOLOGY TEACHING IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS: TEACHERS AS PART OF THE PROBLEM

Computer supported virtual and real laboratories are recognized as tools that can help in raising the quality of biology instruction, and raising development competences in students. Yet biology teachers have been treating the computer as typewriter, as a source of information and as a tool for communication, all of which usages are common to all subjects. The uses of ICT that can significantly help in developing scientific literacy and that are primary tools in science teaching – such as the use of data loggers – are only rarely on the syllabus. The lack of equipment is not the most important reason for failure to use such applications; instead, this is probably due to teachers' attitudes, opinions and knowledge. Students cannot be recognized as an obstacle in working with ICT. Lower secondary school students aged between 10 and 14 performed three laboratory exercises (Activity of yeast, Gas exchange in breathing, Heart rate) using three different methods: classic, computer- supported and virtual laboratory. As a result of testing, we know that all three methods are suitable even for younger students. When students were asked which method they liked the most, their first choice was computer-supported laboratory, followed by classic laboratory, with virtual laboratory in third place.