Observing and sketching skills in plant anatomy practical class

Fatimah Mohamed

Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive study was to evaluate the intellectual level of application in observing and sketching skills in laboratory practical class of Biology and Agricultural Science first year student teachers at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. It was conducted to find means to improve the learning of plant anatomy by determining observing and sketching skills. A total of 40 student teachers were given monocotyledon (Zea mays) and dicotyledon (Helianthus sp.) leaf cross-section slides, which were then observed under the microscope and the images, were sketched. These skills were evaluated using two performance indicator scales data sheet modified from performance indicator scales modified from the Pentaksiran Kerja Amali Biologi SPM (PEKA) and were analysed using SPSS 16.0 for Windows. The result of the research showed that the level of application for observing skill was moderately high (mean = 2.08, SD = 0.7), while the level of application for sketching skill was moderately low (mean = 1.40, SD = 0.7). The relationship between these two skills was evaluated using Pearson Correlation analysis and there was no significant relationship between the observing and sketching skills (r = -0.010, p = 0.952). This study concludes that the first year student teachers are inadequate of both skills and implicates the lack of understanding for this course. It is recommended that the student teachers should be taught both skills prior to the course. Keywords Observing skill, sketching skill, plant anatomy laboratory practical class, plant morphology

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