Alternative ideas of students with and students without learning disabilities about the relationship between microorganisms and the decaying of dead organic matter

Mavrikaki1, E., Alevriadou2, A., Gerodimou3, L.
1.Lecturer, Department of Elementary Education, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
2.Assistant Professor, Department of Preschool Education, University of Western Macedonia, Greece
3.Preschool teacher, Postgraduate student, Department of Preschool Education, University of Western Macedonia, Greece

Purpose of the research was to study the alternative conceptions of children with and without learning disabilities concerning the role of microbes in the decaying of dead organic matter and to find out whether there are differences between the two groups. The sample of our research consisted of 40 children of 5th and 6th grade (20 with and 20 without learning disabilities) that have been taught the relevant subject. We used constructed interviews and the answers of the children were analyzed by the use of content analysis. The results revealed that students have many alternative ideas on the subject (they attribute decaying to time, bad conditions, insects and worms, bad materials and humidity and mold) whereas their answers did not show statistically significant differences. Finally, we suggest that the way that these concepts are taught is the main reason that the students have not accepted the scientific model and we suggest some alternative, more student-centered teaching strategies.