European Journal of Health and Biology Education

European Journal of Health and Biology Education, 2024 - Volume 11 Issue 1, pp. 13-20

Published Online: 14 Mar 2024

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Evolution is a scientific theory of life. Literature shows no reports on Filipino high school students’ level of evolution acceptance and its association with knowledge. This study examined the relationship between knowledge of evolution, and evolution acceptance among high school students in the Philippines. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used that involved the collection of quantitative data followed by in-depth qualitative interviews. This study found that despite having completed a specialized biology course in senior high school, students had ‘low knowledge’ of evolution, which can be attributed to distance learning, where teacher-student interactions were limited, and students managed their own learning. Also, the students were found to have ‘moderate acceptance of evolution’. A moderately positive correlation was reported between knowledge and acceptance. Moreover, data shows that knowledge is a predictor of evolution acceptance. Thus, evolution should be given more emphasis in curriculum and teachers should engage students in meaningful learning experiences to dispel misconceptions of evolution in designing instruction to increase evolution acceptance progressively.

knowledge evolution acceptance mixed methods Philippines

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