Jump to main content
Search
shortlist register contact us menu
Tips, tricks and techniques for biology teachers

Tips, tricks and techniques for biology teachers

Date posted : 01 December 2020

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.

List #1

Related posts

Supply Teaching: The Ultimate Solution for Burnout this Teacher Resignation Day

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD10YY

Summary

As 31st October approaches, it’s a significant date for many teachers in the UK who may be considering their professional future.  Teaching has always been one of the most rewarding professions. Y

Teaser

Discover how supply teaching offers a flexible solution for teacher burnout this Teacher Resignation Day. Learn about reduced workload, better work-life balance, and career variety with Teaching Personnel.

Read more
Adam Davies

by

Adam Davies

Adam Davies

by

Adam Davies

Educator CPD Academy
Launching Soon: The New Educator CPD Academy

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD10YY

Summary

At the end of October, we are excited to unveil our new eLearning platform, the Educator CPD Academy. This innovative platform will enhance your learning experience while maintaining ac

Teaser

Exciting update! In late October, we’re launching the Educator CPD Academy, a sleek new eLearning platform. Stay tuned for more updates and get ready for an upgraded learning journey!

Read more
Zuzana Vrtalova

by

Zuzana Vrtalova

Zuzana Vrtalova

by

Zuzana Vrtalova

How Teaching Assistants (TAs) Help Schools Thrive

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD09YY

Summary

Teaching assistants (TAs) are an invaluable part of schools today. Their dedication and hard work deserve to be celebrated! Their impact is so meaningful that pupils often remember the differenc

Teaser

Teaching assistants (TAs) are the backbone of inclusive and thriving schools, providing essential support to pupils and teachers alike. Join us in celebrating their invaluable contributions on National Teaching Assistants’ Day, September 27th.

Read more
Zuzana Vrtalova

by

Zuzana Vrtalova

Zuzana Vrtalova

by

Zuzana Vrtalova

School’s out for summer - Eight tips to enjoy the break

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD07YY

Summary

School is finally out for summer. Final-year students have left with scribbled shirts for pastures new. Final assemblies have taken place, and thank-you cards and gifts have been gratefully receiv

Teaser

Discover eight essential tips for teachers to unwind and recharge during the summer break. Make the most of your time off with these practical and enjoyable suggestions.

Read more
Tackling Absenteeism: Turning the Tide with our Attendance Mentors Programme

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD05YY

Summary

Poor attendance has been an issue across the UK since the pandemic. According to recent statistics, pupil absenteeism in England soared to 22% by 2023. This equates to over 125,000 pupils missing

Teaser

Discover how our Attendance Mentors Programme tackles pupil absenteeism in the UK. Learn how tailored support and proven strategies can boost school attendance and academic success.

Read more
Navigating Exam Stress: How to Help Your Learners

Teaser

Tips and Advice

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD05YY

Summary

As the academic year peaks, the pressure of exams can overwhelm pupils. Many teachers believe that tests and exams have the biggest impact on students’ mental health. With GCSEs, SATs, and A-Levels

Teaser

Read more
How to Make Teaching an Attractive Career Choice

Teaser

Tips and Advice

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD04YY

Summary

The teacher recruitment crisis is a priority for school leaders across the country. In the 2021–22 academic year, 4000 teachers retired, and 9% of the teaching workforce resigned, marking the highes

Teaser

Read more
Your Easter 2024 Payroll

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish 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

Teaser

Read more
Adam Davies

by

Adam Davies

Adam Davies

by

Adam Davies

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Working as a Supply Teacher
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Working as a Supply Teacher

Teaser

Supply Teaching

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish 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

Teaser

All your common questions about supply teaching answered

Read more
Alex Schulte

by

Alex Schulte

Alex Schulte

by

Alex Schulte

Navigating the Challenges of SEN Provision: A Call to Action in 2024

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish 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

Dive into the critical world of Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision with eye-opening statistics and real challenges faced by schools. Discover the importance of tailored support and the impact on learners.

Read more
company logo
Search