The Students’ Challenges in Learning Evolution and their Level of Mastery: An Input to An Enhancement Program

Abstract

Determining the students’ mastery level and identifying the challenges encountered by them in learning evolution to provide a basis for developing a program enhancing the students’ mastery level is this research’s purpose.  The quantitative and qualitative research approaches were employed in the conduct of this study. A questionnaire was administered to the respondents who were randomly selected to collect information needed for this study. An interview was also done to further understand and clarify students’ responses. It was found that students have an average mastery level in learning evolution which needs further enhancement to achieve the educational aims of a high mastery level. Also, it was proven that students’ mastery levels differ if they are grouped according to gender. This means that gender has something to do with their levels of mastering evolution concepts. Despite various educational efforts, students still faced challenges in learning evolution which includes issues with their learning styles, abilities, and interest, the lack of educational resources and materials, and insufficient knowledge of evolution concepts and theories. These challenges implicate their learning, hence, designing a program that best suits the students’ needs is required to enhance their mastery level.