Estudo da flora nativa como ferramenta didática no ensino de botânica no município de Esperantina-PI

Abstract

It is perceived among students a lack of interest in Botany, which can be caused by the "botanical blindness", which is defined as the difficulty to perceive the plants around, and the distance between what is taught and their daily life. The textbook itself often explores exotic plants, while neglecting native plants in the region, not valuing local ecosystems. Such factors associated with others, such as difficult nomenclature, few practical classes, cause disinterest in the study of plants. This study aimed to analyze, if the study of native flora of the region where the school community is inserted, can be used as an efficient didactic tool, which arouses the student interest in the study of Botany. High School, divided into two groups, called experimental group and control group, and the participation of 03 biology teachers from a school located in the municipality of Esperantina-PI. To this end, we searched in the literature studies on the vegetation of the municipality of Esperantina, researching which species belonged to the native flora of the region, and thus elaborate strategies that associate these plants and themes of study of Botany. Questionnaires were applied to both groups in order to seek information about previous knowledge about botany, learning difficulties, knowledge about the native flora of the region and its use by man. Then, another questionnaire was applied to the experimental group to verify if the objectives were achieved, as well as the opinion about the activities. Regarding teachers, they were interviewed about the methodologies applied in the teaching of Botany and their difficulties. Several strategies were explored that explored the native flora of the municipality, such as: practical classes with plant collections, such as field classes around the school and the Cachoeira do Urubu Ecological Park, besides playful activities such as drawings, didactic games, making models, which explored various aspects of Botany. The results obtained were satisfactory as to the accomplishment of these activities that involved the study of the native flora, because it was demonstrated by statistical analyzes, that there was significance in some observed aspects, for example, the interest in Botany increased, the students stated that they came to know more the themes of Botany in general, and claim to have more knowledge about the native plants of the region.