INTEGRATIVE APPROACH IN SCHOOL NATURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION

Abstract

The article examines the current problems of implementing an integrative approach in school natural science education. The terminological definition of the concepts “integrated” and “integrative” has been clarified. “Integrated” is used to define the state which has undergone the action of integration, a holistic, without internal contradictions, set from the outside. In this sense, we propose to use the terms integrated course, integrated lesson, integrated task, integrated knowledge, integrated content. “Integrative” is one that is about integration, a unifying process that is realized through the means of integration. In this sense, we consider the integrative approach as a means of integrating knowledge, content, activities, organizational forms of learning, as well as integrative learning technologies.
We have studied the practice of implementing the integrative approach in school natural science education. The following contradictions were revealed. Researchers have proved the effectiveness of the introduction of integrated natural science courses, the need to develop comprehensive curricula in natural science subjects on the basis of a single educational field of state standard, the importance of forming a holistic (integrated) knowledge, scientific worldview. However, the lack of specialists, natural science teaching methods makes it difficult to implement the integrative approach.
In today's information society, changes in the philosophy of education, the issue of the integrative approach in school natural science education is gaining new meaning. The implementation of the integrative approach in natural science education is carried out at several levels: as a whole in the system of general secondary education, which determines the role and place of natural science education in it as a component; in the system of natural science education itself, which determines its structure, provides intersectoral and interdisciplinary links, the “core” of natural science content, the general methodology of teaching natural science subjects; in teaching natural science subjects / integrated courses, which provides intra-logical connections, ways and methods of integrating knowledge and skills.