Abstract:

Imperatives of teaching at all levels of education, including functional primary adult education, must be aimed at modernizing the teaching process, not only in terms of content, but also in terms of teaching. Great importance in innovating teaching work is given to teaching models that activate students and encourage their mental development in the process of learning and teaching. One of the teaching models that offers students the opportunity to independently acquire knowledge and research, as well as independently find solutions based on given problem situations is problem-based teaching. The teaching process in problem-based teaching is related to the problem situation and problem solving. The result is the affirmation of students in teaching as researchers who show initiative and creative abilities. The results of numerous researches in the field of application of problem-based teaching in the realization of natural sciences content indicate its significant advantages in achieving better and more lasting knowledge of students, as well as greater motivation and willingness of students to learn compared to traditional teaching. In the field of natural sciences, Biology with its contents provides great opportunities for the application of this teaching approach, and almost every class of biology at any level of education can and should begin by asking a problem question. Since problem-based teaching of biology also supports individualized approaches, it is one of the most productive models of work for encouraging the creative and creative development of adult learners. Accordingly, the aim of this paper is focused on the description of problem-based teaching and its direct application in the realization of biological content in functional primary adult education in the Republic of Serbia. Problem tasks, as well as procedures that can be used to successfully engage adult students, arouse their interest, achieve high motivation and interest in work will be presented on the example of the content "Diversity of insects and their importance for man and nature", prescribed by the Biology Curriculum for adult education in the Republic of Serbia. Didactic material for the application of problem-based teaching in the realization of biological content in adult education can be an incentive for biology teachers to change their own practice. With greater availability of such good practice materials, teachers would be more ready to apply them, and thus more efficient in achieving educational goals.

Keywords:

Adult education, biology, problem-based teaching, lesson scenario.