Prospective biology teachers' inquiry ability in free inquiry learning of molecular biology

Abstract

The inquiry ability required by biology teacher in understanding and discussing the concepts of science in the classroom. This ability can be developed by prospective biology teachers during the learning process in college. Qualitative research method with one-shot case study design aims to assess the inquiry ability of 29 prospective biology teachers in free inquiry learning of molecular biology, especially on the DNA Isolation concept. The instrument of data collector is the inquiry ability test with five inquiry indicator, activity observation sheet and practice performance rubric. Data were analyzed by quantitative descriptive technique. The data analysis showed low performance test results for all indicators, moderate scores for inquiry activity and high scores for practice performance. Based on the results can be concluded that free inquiry learning is not maximal in shaping the prospective biology teachers' inquiry ability; low category based on inquiry ability test results, moderate category for inquiry activity aspect and high category for performance of lab work aspect.