Determining the learning approaches of Biology teacher candidates : Learning approaches of Biology teacher candidates

Learning approaches refer to the differentiation in the purpose that students consider and the activities they choose to perform a particular learning task. Many studies have been carried out at university level, in various grade levels and fields, in order to determine the learning approaches of students and to enable them to learn to learn by enabling them to gain effective learning approaches in the light of these determinations. In this study, it was aimed to determine the learning approaches of biology teacher candidates. The study group of the research consists of 12 teacher candidates studying in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades of Gazi Education Faculty, Department of Mathematics and Science Education, Biology Education Department in the fall semester of the 2022-2023 academic year. The teacher candidates were selected to be 3 teacher candidates from each grade level and 9 of the candidates were girls and 3 were boys. This study is a qualitative research and the data of the research were obtained by using a semi-structured interview form consisting of 5 questions developed by the researchers. In the analysis of the data, content analysis was used in qualitative data analysis methods. When the statements of the teacher candidates were examined, the results of the research showed that one of the learning objectives of the teacher candidates was the sense of curiosity and they aimed to improve themselves in the process based on learning. The results obtained as a result of the research indicate that some of the teacher candidates aim to get high grades, organize their studies, plan their time consciously and avoid memorization