BIOTECHNOLOGY: AN ASSESSMENT OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE TEACHERS' KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES

摘要

The purpose of this study was to explore agricultural science teachers' knowledge levels andattitudes toward biotechnology topics. The average agricultural science teacher in this study wasa 3 7-year-old male who had taught for 12 years. He had a bachelor's degree and had lived orworked on a farm or ranch. He had not attended biotechnology-related workshops or classessince he graduated from college. Agricultural science teachers in the current study had someknowledge of biotechnology. However, great variation existed between specific topics. Teacherswere most knowledgeable about animal reproduction and least knowledgeable aboutelectrophoresis and bioremediation. Significant relationships were found between teachers' selfperceived knowledge levels of specific biotechnology topics and the likelihood that the topic wastaught in the classroom. Agricultural science teachers had favorable attitudes towardbiotechnology. A low positive relationship existed between agricultural science teachers'knowledge and attitudes toward biotechnology. When comparing teachers based on experience(those with less than 15 years versus those with 15 or more years) results indicated nodifferences in knowledge and attitudes.