Abstract:

During the exponential scientific and technological development, and the development of the society of knowledge in which intellectual capital has become a major factor of progress, the quality of education is a priority strategic objective of many countries. Education Development Strategy in Serbia until 2020 has recognized the importance and the role of the didactic paradigm. The mission of the education system in Serbia in the 21st century is to ensure the basic foundation of life and development of every individual, society and state based on knowledge. According to education research in the world, the quality of teachers is a key factor in the quality of education. These findings are a standpoint for the definition of a specific strategy of teacher education in Serbia. It is directed to flexibility of teachers in terms of successful adaptation to new trends in education and advanced training aimed at developing competencies that are required in future. One of the tendencies in improving education is the application of information and communication technologies in teaching (ICT). Consequently, the number of training seminars for teachers, which aim is to train teachers to properly use the benefits of ICT in teaching, has increased in the Republic of Serbia in the last ten years. The effects of the application of new technologies in teaching depend on several parameters. One of these parameters is the teachers’ perception on their application in the teaching process. Therefore, the focus of this paper is aimed at examining the level of ICT application by biology teachers and their attitudes towards the ICT application in teaching. The paper also analyzes the influence of the level of skills and levels of ICT application on attitudes of biology teachers concerning their application in teaching. The research items were considered on a sample of 101 biology teachers who work in elementary schools in the Republic of Serbia.

The main findings of the research show that biology teachers have a positive attitude towards the ICT application in the teaching process, that they have a high level of skills concerning of the use computers and computer tools, and that they often apply them in the teaching process. Pearson's coefficient has shown that there is a medium positive correlation among the level of skills and ICT application, and the the teachers' attitudes.

Keywords:

Attitudes, biology teachers, ICT, elementary school.