Peer Assisted Learning Strategy for Improving Students’ Physiologic Literacy

Abstract

The effect of peer assisted learning (PAL) on anatomic competencies of prospective student's biology teachers S Diana -Promoting middle school students' mathematical creative thinking ability using scientific approach A Istiqomah, K S Perbowo and S E Purwanto Abstract. Research about the implementation of the Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) strategy in Plant Physiology lecture has carried out, in which it aims to improve students' physiologic literacy. The PAL strategy began with a briefing by the lecturers to the students tutor about pretest questions, followed by the interaction between student tutors with their peers to discuss response problems, terminated by answering responsiveness questions individually. This study used a quasi-experimental method, one -group pre-test post-test design. This design includes a group of students observed in the pre-test phase (tests carried out before PAL treatment) which is then followed by treatment with PAL and ends with post-test. The other students group (control) was given the pre-test and post-test only. The results showed that the PAL strategy can increase student's physiologic literacy significantly. One of the weaknesses of students' physiologic literacy is that they have not been able to read the graph. The faculties are encouraged to begin introducing and teaching material using a variety of strategies with scientific literacy aspects, for example teaching research-based material. All students respond positively to the PAL strategy.

The effect of peer assisted learning (PAL) on anatomic competencies of prospective student’s biology teachers

“…Anatomy lab skill enhancement through PAL application is in the moderate category. In the previous study also showed that prospective student's biology teachers have improved lab skills through PAL implementation in moderate category [19].Although PAL application did not provide a significant improvement in anatomical lab skills, but PAL can be viewed as one of the potential strategies for improving lab skills. On the other hand, this activity-based learning is one of the best strategies for dealing with students' difficulties in studying biology [20].…”

“…The finding that the application of PAL can improve student learning outcomes is supportive of PAL research in the course of Plant Embryology [4], in various Plant Biology lab works [9,19], in teaching genetics [7] and in undergraduate medical programs [24].…”

“…The application of PAL can support the successful of various Plant Biology lab works [9], can improve the concept mastery of students in Plant Embryology course [4], and can increase student's scientific literacy in Plant Morphology course [10]. Thus the application of PAL strategy is very possible for the occurrence of scaffolding on anatomic competencies of prospective student's biology teachers.…”