BIOLOGY SCHOOL EDUCATION IN THE DIGITAL ERA

Abstract

This study aims to explore the specific features and challenges of biology education, with a particular focus on the shortcomings of textbooks and teaching materials, as well as the role of digital technologies such as interactive simulations, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) in the teaching and learning process. The research examines the development and impact of digital tools in biology instruction and investigates students’ and teachers’ attitudes toward integrating these technologies into classroom practice. A detailed analysis is provided of the distinctive characteristics of biology as a school subject and the challenges encountered in teaching it, highlighting textbook deficiencies that could be addressed through the use of widely accessible digital resources. The study presents concrete examples of how digital technologies can be applied in biology education, with special attention to virtual models, VR and AR applications, interactive simulations, and online platforms that can enhance both the effectiveness and engagement of the learning process. As part of the research, currently used biology textbooks and workbooks were reviewed. Findings indicate an urgent need for innovation, as some institutions still rely on textbooks over two decades old, illustrated with static black-and-white drawings, to teach members of the Z and Alpha generations-students who were born into the digital era and are now learning in the age of artificial intelligence. An empirical survey was conducted among students and teachers in primary and secondary schools within the Hungarian minority community in southern Slovakia, assessing opportunities, experiences, and openness toward the use of digital tools in biology classes. The results were positive, confirming that digitalization has a clear future in biology education, extending beyond the domain of computer science instruction. Based on these findings, the study proposes recommendations for modernizing the delivery of biology curricula through more up-to-date teaching materials.