Teacher interactions and Malaysian students attitudes toward biology: A study in ethnic comparison

Perhaps more than ever human resource in the Twenty-first Century would hinge on quality education of the sciences. For a country aspiring to achieve a developed nation status such as Malaysia this requisite is more than imperative. This study examined the perception of some Malaysian students of different ethnic backgrounds toward teacher interactions, their attitudes toward Biology, and the relationship between these two variables. Primary data were gathered from a questionnaire survey of 300 Form Four Biology students systematically sampled from three secondary schools in the Bintulu area, Sarawak and comprising four ethnic groups of Malay, Chinese, Iban and Bumiputera. Results of the statistical analysis revealed that both the students perceptions of teacher interactions and attitudes towards Biology were at a moderate level. The Spearman s rho correlation test showed that there was a weak positive linear relationship between the teacher interactions and the students’ attitudes towards Biology. The findings of this study can be used as a reference for educators to assess and reflect on their classroom teaching and learning process and subsequently take due improvement steps.