Mobile learning do ensino de biologia

Abstract

The Mobile and Wireless Information and Communication Technologies (TIMS) present new possibilities for education, giving rise to the so-called mobile learning. Mobile learning is understood to be the junction of the concepts of mobility and learning. This study aimed to contribute to the qualification of the teaching and learning process, through a survey of applications that can be used in a school context, enabling, didactic strategies in Teaching Biology. This is an exploratory research. For the study, we conducted a survey of data on Smartphone Apps, available at the Play Store online store, with potential for teaching and learning strategies in biology. Using the keyword "Biology". We selected the Apps that presented Biology content, free and in Portuguese language. The survey and tracking of the Apps were conducted for six months from March to August / 2016. The preliminary evaluation of each Apps was made according to the following categories: a) general information; B) technical characteristics; C) educational characteristics. Found 250 Apps using the keyword "Biology", of these 42 Apps were in accordance with the criteria established for the search. In relation to the educational characteristics, the typologies of the Apps (Video or Animation, Simulator, Exercise Set, Information Reference Material, Book and Other) that stood out with the greatest number were the one entitled information consultation material and the smallest was The textbook. About the type of user (Student, Teacher and Other) level of education (elementary school years, elementary school and high school) the largest number of Apps were intended for high school students. Among the subjects (Anatomy and Human Physiology, Cell Biology and Taxonomy of Living Beings) that presented the largest number of Apps was Cell Biology. There are several Apps for specific smartphones for the area of Biology available in the Play Store, free and in Portuguese and quality for teaching Biology. It is necessary to evaluate these Apps in relation to their use in the teaching and learning processes, being a possible way to mobile learning. It should be noted that because it is a recent field there is a need for greater mobilization in the development of Apps.