Why don't students understand evolution by natural selection?

 Researches in USA have found an alarming disbelief in evolution, which is based upon a lack of understanding - particularly a lack of understanding of evolution by natural selection. In India, the situation is quite different. The problem, as other researchers have also pointed out, is a lack of understanding - but even the few who have heard of evolution are generally not adverse to believing in it. Through interviews, tests, and teaching interventions we have found evidence for several additional reasons why people here fail to understand evolution by natural selection. The reasons are related to the pedagogical, linguistic, social, political, and religious characteristics of different sections of Indian society. Whereas in USA people have tried to claim the usage of science to validate anti-evolution religious beliefs, in India people have claimed that religious beliefs validate scientific beliefs in evolution. In both cases people are not understanding the nature of science. Significantly, we have found that school teachers and even some college teachers, as well as 2nd and 3rd year BSc students in life sciences, have a number of misconceptions with regard to evolution by natural selection. Our analysis of textbooks has revealed some lacunae. However we found that even when students sit in fairly good lectures and read good textbooks, many of the most common misconceptions still prevail. The underlying reasons will be discussed. Based on this analysis, we have designed and tested some innovative pedagogical approaches in order to improve the situation. We are also suggesting certain steps that researchers in biological sciences can take to spread awareness regarding evolution and scientific temper in general.

About Dr. Karen Haydock:

Karen Haydock has been working as an educationist, artist, teacher, and scientist during her last 28 years in India. She has been developing teaching/learning programs and conducting workshops for students and teachers, with particular interest in cross-curricular approaches which combine natural and social sciences with art and language. She has designed, illustrated, and written numerous storybooks, textbooks, and other teaching materials. She completed her PhD and post-doctoral training at reputable institutions in USA, doing computational research on the structure, function, and dynamics of GPCRs, enzymes, and protein-DNA interactions.

At HBCSE since 2011, Karen has been doing research related to science education in order to understand the problems faced by students and teachers in schools and colleges in India. This work has focussed on biology, and evolution in particular, and has been done in order to develop innovative teaching methods and materials. She is also currently investigating agricultural workersconceptions of science and their practices related to science in a few parts of the country.