Characteristics of biotechnology learning materials generally used by biology education students in Padang City

Abstract

Students' understanding is very necessary in studying biotechnology. This understanding is obtained through a learning process that is supported by learning materials that can help students understand the material. This study aims to determine the characteristics of biotechnology learning materials used by biology education students in Padang City. The type of this research is descriptive research. The participants of this study are 4 lecturers of biotechnology, 113 university students, and biotechnology learning materials used in learning process. Data collection instruments used are guidelines for interviewing the lecturers and questionnaires for the students. The sampling method used is purposive sampling. Research data are analyzed by using descriptive statistical analysis. Students state that biotechnology is difficult to understand because the material is in the form of a process and cannot be observed directly for the entire material. The learning materials used are in Mic. power point form and printed learning materials that are not able to visualize the material. Students argue that the ideal biotechnology learning materials to support the understanding are learning materials that can visualize material in the form of processes that cannot be directly observed. This finding suggests that it is necessary to have materials that can visualize biotechnology materials in order to increase students understanding of the material.