INTEGRATION IN SCHOOL NATURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION: PROS AND CONS

Abstract

The article considers the problem of pedagogical integration as a phenomenon that is ambiguously perceived in the educational circle. The processes of formation of the phenomenon of integration in the historical review, its manifestations and evaluation in the educational process, transformation in modern conditions has been studied in the article. The reasons for the negative attitude to integration in Natural Science and ways to eliminate them have been clarified. The advantages of applying integration to the processes of constructing the content of Natural Science Education and teaching Natural Science Subjects in institutions of general secondary education have been revealed. There are three levels of application of integration in teaching Natural Subjects: integrated Natural Science Course, intersubject integration of Natural Science Subjects, and intersectoral integration of Natural Science Subjects in the school education system. Models of integrated teaching of Natural Science Subjects in institutions of general secondary education have been substantiated. In the model of training in integrated Natural Science Courses, training has been carried out according to one program, which lays down mechanisms for organizing the content and process of mastering ordered Natural Science knowledge. In the integrative Natural Science model, training has been carried out according to a set of educational programs in individual Natural Science subjects, in which the content and methods of teaching are based on the general apparatus of Natural Sciences, the expected learning results are aimed at forming a key competence in the field of Natural Sciences, Engineering and Technology. The integrating cross-industry model lays the foundations for the formation of cross-cutting skills and flexible skills. All three models complement each other and ensure the continuity and integrity of Natural Science Education.

The pros and cons of integrating school Natural Science Education that we have reviewed allow us to draw the following conclusions.

1. At present stage the problem of pedagogical integration is being updated, which requires a detailed study of the existing experience in implementing an integrated approach to teaching Natural Science Subjects.
2. The phenomenon of pedagogical integration is not well-established and unambiguous. The taxonomy of pedagogical integration is determined by conditions, factors, objects and processes, which determines the various levels and degrees of manifestation and application of integration, its forms, types and functions.
3. The application of an integrated approach in the study of both integrated Natural Science courses and in the case of studying individual Natural Science Subjects is a mandatory and crucial condition for building a natural education system.