INTEGRATION OF HIGH-TECH COMMUNICATION PRACTICES IN TEACHING OF BIOLOGY IN INDONESIAN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education introduced high-tech practices in teaching and learning in universities useful for both teachers and learners. The main objective of this study was to investigate the extent to which such high tech communication strategies and practices have been embedded in the teaching and learning of biology in Indonesian higher education institutions (HEIs). The high tech communication practices included the use of tablets/laptops and taking assistance of such human behavioral and communication practices which stimulated both teachers and students to optimize teaching and learning processes. This study emphasized the fact that Biology being central to the scientific learning is required in the study of advanced domains like medicine, genetics, zoology, etc. Hence, for the successful dissemination of the knowledge of biology through teaching, the instructors need to have access to and familiarize with the pedagogical principles and management strategies used in classroom instruction. This study attempted to understand how the high-tech communication practices should be integrated in the teaching of biology in Indonesian higher education institutions. No doubt, ‘communication biology’ has the potential to evolve into a scientific study in the field of communication science and educational practices. The need is to build a framework of a new paradigm of communication biology which is expected to contribute to the development of the education system in the Indonesian HEIs. This study will potentially draw attention of the academicians and policy makers towards integration of such advanced communication practices in teaching of biology in the Indonesian HEIs.