Tips, tricks and techniques for biology teachers
Engaging students is a key priority for any teacher, particularly in the STEM subjects where popularity has fallen in recent years. For biology teachers, there’s inspiration all around you – but it can still be difficult to make the subject more interesting and accessible for students. Start by tapping into your students’ natural curiosity of life, making biology relevant to them by relating topics taught in the classroom with their everyday lives. This form of integrative learning has many benefits, including improved student learning retention and creative thinking. Even if biology isn’t a student’s strong point, it can easily become their favourite subject when taught in a way that encourages and rewards participation. Take a look at our tips on planning and delivering engaging biology lessons that inspire the best results from your pupils:
Variety in teaching
One of the key ways to engage students in any subject is by alternating between teaching styles so that the classroom doesn’t become predictable and stagnant. It’s useful to remember that students learn in all different ways, so alternating teaching styles regularly not only keeps them more engaged but allows some students more opportunities to learn in accordance with their learning style. A recent survey found that 22.8% of respondents prefer kinaesthetic learning, making it the most popular learning style and beating auditory, visual and read/write by an impressive margin.
By offering a range of materials such as textbooks, podcasts, videos and games, this will enable different kinds of learners to absorb the greatest amount of information from them. In addition, there are various methods to help students learn a topic including lecturing, concept mapping, discussions, reading and allowing for cooperative student learning or assigning practical activities. Access the National STEM Learning Centre’s Planning and Organising Practical Activities course for free and discover how you can use kinaesthetic learning to create stimulating STEM activities for your biology classroom. Take your approach to teaching one step further and introduce STEM activities as a reward. Rewarding good behaviour forms the basis of several behaviour management strategies and enforces the idea that practical activities make learning fun.
Apply biology practically
Sometimes in life, instead of giving advice, we allow those around us to learn lessons for themselves so they can truly retain the information. The same method can be applied in the classroom and has proven to be very effective in an environment where practical learning can often be few and far between.
Allow your students to feel like professional researchers by setting them achievable experimental tasks based on the hypothesis-test-conclusion format. A Harvard study showed that this form of active learning facilitates deeper learning which in turn can improve information retention and exam scores. It can also be more engaging than sitting at a desk writing down information as students have to be present and focused on the task at hand. This way, students can learn and absorb this new information for themselves.
To bring biology to life, consider setting active tasks. For instance:
- Learn about the life cycle by raising butterflies or chicks
- Explore photosynthesis by planting a garden
- Dissect specimens to learn about anatomy
- Dry/press plants and label their anatomy
- Test samples of yeast to test their live/dead status
- View/analyse different kinds of cells under the microscope
Doing this also cultivates skills in team building, creativity, research and development, and critical thinking.
There are also many educational, biology-centric games that can be utilised to assess knowledge such as Jeopardy, Taboo, Pictionary and 20 questions. Take a look at Askabiologist for a collection of biology-centric online games to further extend students’ knowledge.Biology field trips
Hosting biology-centred field trips provides a change of pace from the traditional classroom and can bring about a host of benefits that encourage student engagement and learning.
Showing practical biology in action can reinforce the lessons taught in class and cement them in your students’ minds. Consider visiting a local park, wilderness reserve, farm or botanical garden to allow students to see, in person, the topics they were learning about. Similarly, a trip to a science museum or research lab can open pupils’ eyes to the vast progress humans have made in science, highlighting life-saving inventions from the past or current innovations in pharmaceuticals.
Incorporate technology
Keeping a classroom engaged can be difficult, and some will prove more challenging than others. It’s important to know how to cope with stress as a teacher but also use all the tools you have at your disposable to help command the attention of your students. Students interact with technology on a daily basis and are therefore comfortable and open to being taught through this medium. Technology, and the array of information on the internet, can be utilised in the classroom to innovatively teach biology.
Technology can engage all different kinds of students as it caters to a variety of learning styles including auditory, visual and kinaesthetic. There are many educational resources available online that can be utilised both in the planning and execution of teaching biology. For inspiration, check out the Royal Society of Biology and The Science Teacher for teaching resources. Through technology, it’s possible to see 3D models of DNA and interactive animated dissections which may be more ethical and accessible in the classroom. Computer simulations are a great way of visually exploring a range of topics from molecular biology to evolution and can be a safe and effective form of introducing students to laboratory work.In addition, it’s possible to assess students’ knowledge and retention of biology through online quizzes and present homework to them digitally. This can also lead to a more streamlined, automated marking process, which saves you time and can provide students with instant feedback and corrections.
Let Teaching Personnel help you find your next Biology teacher job
At Teaching Personnel, we’re looking for teachers who are driven by the satisfaction of seeing their students learn. But we understand that the role of a teacher is more than tracking progress, it’s supporting students facing stress and anxiety, belonging to a network of dedicated education staff and making a difference. We want to offer our support in return and make it our goal to help each candidate find the role and school that’s right for them. Apply for a science teacher job with us today.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£38,129 - 40,442 per year
Location free text
Wigan
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Science
Location
Wigan
Description
Job Title: Chemistry LecturerJob Salary: £38,129 - £40,442 per annumJob Location: Wigan, Greater ManchesterStart Date: September 2024 Teaching Personnels' Permanent Workforce are currently working alo
Reference
M491H300
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Permanent StaffingAuthor
Permanent StaffingSalary
£30,000 - 46,525 per year + CPD Training
Location free text
Redcar
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Science
Location
Redcar and Cleveland
Description
Role: Science TeacherLocation: RedcarHours: Full-timeSalary: £30,000 - £46,525Start: May 2024Teaching Personnel work in partnership with a mixed secondary school and sixth form that boasts a 'rich and
Reference
NML46574839
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£28k - 43k per year
Location free text
Basingstoke
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Science
Location
Basingstoke
Description
Science (Biology) Teacher Wanted in Basingstoke Secondary School! Are you passionate about Biology and dedicated to inspiring the next generation of scientists? Teaching Personnel is seeking a dynami
Reference
Basing Bio
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SecondaryAuthor
Hampshire SecondarySalary
£28,000 - 43,685 per year
Location free text
Tameside
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Science
Location
Tameside
Description
We are seeking to appoint a successful qualified science teacher of any specialism to join the expanding department at a secondary school in the Manchester area rated Good by Ofsted. The Science posit
Reference
971
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester East SecondaryAuthor
Manchester East SecondarySalary
£130 - 200 per day
Location free text
Birmingham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£40,000 - £49,999
£100 - £199 per day
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Science
Location
Birmingham
Description
**TEACHING PERSONNEL PAYS TO SCALE FOR ALL LONG-TERM CONTRACTS**Teacher Personnel are working with an outstanding secondary school in the Kings Norton area of Birmingham, who are searching for a full-
Reference
Science Teacher 3
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Birmingham SecondaryAuthor
Birmingham SecondarySalary
£30k - 47k per year
Location free text
Swanage
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Science
Location
Dorset
Description
Join Our Team at Teaching Personnel! Are you a talented Science Teacher seeking an opportunity to shine in a supportive and innovative environment? Look no further! Teaching Personnel, the market-le
Reference
Science Teacher - 7
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SENAuthor
Hampshire SENSalary
£30k - 50k per year
Location free text
Littlehampton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
£50,000 - £59,999
Sector
Science
Location
Littlehampton
Description
Role: Science TeacherLocation: West SussexContract: Temporary or PermanentHours: Full TimeSalary: MPR/UPRStart: September 2024Teaching Personnel work in partnership with a Christian mixed secondary sc
Reference
scilit
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
South Coast SecondaryAuthor
South Coast SecondarySalary
£30k - 47k per year
Location free text
Poole
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Science
Location
Poole
Description
Join Our Team at Teaching Personnel!Are you passionate about science education and eager to make a real difference in the lives of students? Look no further! Teaching Personnel, a leading education
Reference
Science Teacher - 6
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SENAuthor
Hampshire SENSalary
Market related
Location free text
Wareham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Science
Location
Wareham
Description
Join Our Team at Teaching Personnel!Are you passionate about science education and eager to make a real difference in the lives of students? Look no further! Teaching Personnel, a leading education
Reference
Science Teacher - 5
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SENAuthor
Hampshire SENSalary
Market related
Location free text
Swanage
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Science
Location
Dorset
Description
Join Our Team at Teaching Personnel!Are you passionate about science education and eager to make a real difference in the lives of students? Look no further! Teaching Personnel, a leading education
Reference
Science Teacher - 4
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SENAuthor
Hampshire SENRelated posts
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
Planning for the Easter break? The Teaching Personnel payroll team wants to make sure you get paid on time. This table outlines the Easter 2024 payroll date, along with the corresponding deadline
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
Supply TeachingContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Table of Contents 1. Why do people become supply teachers? 2. What does it take to become a supply teacher? 3. How can I find work as a supply teacher? <!-- b--> 4. How shou
by
Alex Schulte
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision in schools is a critical aspect of education that demands attention in 2024. According to the Department for Education, over 1.5 million pupils in England
Teaser
Multi-Academy TrustsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Laura Williams is an education leadership coach with fifteen years of leadership experience in education across business, operations, HR, finance and governance. She is a former Business Manager, CO
by
Scott Owen
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Creating a safe and nurturing environment for pupils is paramount in the age of evolving social dynamics. One issue that has gained significant attention in recent years is the distinction between
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson addressed the Labour Party conference in October, where she announced plans to reform primary maths. Currently, one in four children leave primary school
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
Mock exams are a crucial milestone in a pupil's academic journey, serving as a practice run for the real deal. As educators, you play a pivotal role in helping pupils navigate through these trial ex
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
In the fast-moving world of education, headteachers and schools face the challenge of ensuring a continuous and reliable supply of qualified teachers. Unforeseen teacher absences due to staff sickness
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Embarking on the journey to become an educator is both exhilarating and demanding. The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is crucial to achieving your teaching ambitions. The road ahead
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD08YY
Summary
Teaching is a rewarding profession that plays a crucial role in shaping our society's future. However, it comes with its challenges. The workload can be demanding, which might sometimes lead to feelin
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job