Understanding of the living world of high school students in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Abstract

Biology is an experimental science that is leading in developing students’ ability to understand the living world. This research aims to assess the level of students’ understanding in selected high schools in the Mekong Delta region. The study was conducted for eight months, from May 2022 to December 2022. A total of 464 students from nine regional high schools participated in the study. This research adopted a cross-sectional survey model, combining quantitative and qualitative research methods. The data were collected using Google Forms. The results from this study show that students had limited ability to understand the living world, particularly in their scientific research skills, the ability to interpret charts and statistical data, and the application of learned knowledge to practical scenarios. Factors such as the study environment, organization of activities for teaching and learning biology, skills required for scientific research, self-study ability, analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to apply learned knowledge in real-life situations contribute to these limitations. As a result, educators should introduce innovative content and teaching approaches to improve high school students’ abilities and enhance their understanding of the living world.