Abstract (eng)
This paper presents a qualitative analysis of the key concept evolution in two different schoolbook series for the teaching subject biology in secondary schools in Austria. This study aims to be a continuation and deepening of a preceded quantitative analysis of these textbooks. The investigation focuses to the horizontal (within an age group) as well as the vertical (throughout all age groups) implementation of the evolution concept. This objective was achieved by reviewing each school book by means of an “analysis concept map”, which includes central evolutionary concepts. The cross-linking of these concepts, such as different types of selection, population and others, are central subject areas which are essential for the development of the pupils ‘understanding of the theory of biological evolution.
On the basis of the results of these investigations, it can be concluded that the concept maps of the individual school levels show a highly differentiated image in terms of the concepts’ inclusion both between the lower and upper secondary classes as well as between the school book series. To improve the quality of schoolbooks in the future it is suggested that a consistent learning progression concept should be developed for the entire series with regard to biological topics such as evolution.