This blog post specifically examines how laboratory clubs, research activities, debate experience, and learning attitudes connect to a prospective teacher’s competencies and career commitment during the preparation of a biology education academic plan.
Writing about academic experiences and reflections
How to Study Subjects You Don’t Like
We all have subjects we’re confident in, subjects we enjoy, and subjects we dislike. I was particularly insecure about math. However, because I loved studying science, I chose the science track, which naturally meant I had to delve deeper into math as well. To pursue the studies I enjoyed, I had to tackle the ones I disliked. I accepted this situation and adopted the mindset: “Since I have to do it anyway, I might as well enjoy the process.” I didn’t give up on math just to pursue my beloved science. First, having a clear goal was crucial for tackling subjects I didn’t enjoy. I had always wanted to become a biology educator, so I mentally conditioned myself to study math as a means to achieve that dream. Once that goal took hold, studying math no longer felt like a huge burden. Instead, it became a natural part of my routine – something I simply had to do, so I made time for it. So I began studying math, which I didn’t like or even disliked. I set my own target study time and strictly adhered to it. Another method I chose for studying math was ‘becoming friends with my math teacher’. I asked the teacher about things I didn’t understand and listened to the answers, which brought us closer. I believe this also helped my grades. After all, I could indirectly get hints about exams from my math teacher, and by checking the mathematical principles my teacher emphasized, I could develop a feel for the tests. Moreover, as I became friends with my math teacher, I developed a genuine affection for the subject. As I tried so hard to grow fond of math, my math grades gradually started to improve, and I reached a point where I no longer had to worry about my grades because of math. Of course, I didn’t neglect my other favorite subjects either, and I managed to achieve balanced grades across all my courses.
Writing about major school activities and reflections
“Active Participation in the Science Experiment Club”
I applied for and was accepted into the most popular club in school, the Science Experiment Club, and have been actively involved ever since. The club was popular because it prepared fun and fascinating experiments to showcase during festivals, and also developed unique items that offered intriguing hands-on experiences. In the club, I developed my skills by conducting experiments not typically done in class, and during festivals, I worked hard to research and develop innovative items that would catch people’s attention. I dedicated myself to club activities just as much as I did to my schoolwork. I particularly enjoyed biology studies, so I showed talent in conducting experiments related to biology textbook content and developing festival items. After each experiment, I always wrote a report, collected them, organized them into a list as reference material, and still keep them stored today. I could also gain additional knowledge by reviewing other friends’ experimental results.
Furthermore, the science experiment club provided opportunities to participate in science camps. I was particularly passionate about visiting and participating in camps at research institutes related to biology, biotechnology, basic science, and pharmaceuticals. I actively asked questions, engaging in interviews with researchers about topics that intrigued me, and also discussed areas where my own experiments had struggled, leading to in-depth conversations. Hearing advice from experts and engaging in these conversations made me realize I needed to delve deeper into my knowledge of biology. It also prompted me to reconsider my values regarding scientific progress.
“Participating in the Creative Debate Competition”
I had a habit of reading many science-related books. This not only helped me acquire relevant knowledge but also improved my vocabulary, making me known as a student who could express myself well.
The ‘Creative Debate Competition’ was where I could utilize and test that ability. Recommended by my homeroom teacher, I entered the school’s Creative Debate Competition. This competition involved debating a single topic, but rather than a simple pro-con debate, it focused on using one’s knowledge to present creative opinions and engage in discussion. The specific debate topic I participated in was ‘The Development of Artificial Intelligence: Benefit or Drawback?’ Since I had been reading a book about artificial intelligence at the time, I could approach the topic more easily. Rather than simply presenting pro or con arguments about AI, I explained the expected benefits of how AI could drive social progress and the potential negative impacts it might have on human economic activities. I also proposed that while development cannot be stopped, measures must be prepared to address the economic and social phenomena AI brings alongside its development. Through diligent preparation and discussion, we achieved first place, and my debating skills were recognized.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
“Becoming Each Other’s Teachers”
I excelled in science but struggled with math, and my friends also had their own strengths and weaknesses. So I organized a ‘study group where we become each other’s teachers’ to fill in each other’s academic gaps. Gathering to study together was good, but I suggested to my friends that since we were studying anyway, why not become teachers and try teaching each other the subjects we didn’t know? They readily agreed. After organizing the study group, we first set the day of the week and decided which subjects and content each of us would teach. I took charge of the science subjects, deciding to explain the topics and textbook material my friends found most challenging. Even if I felt confident in the subject matter myself, teaching required time to organize and study. This process of studying to teach, combined with receiving instruction from my friends and then reviewing and consolidating that knowledge, made my studying much more efficient. By dedicating time to review subjects I excelled in and to preview and review subjects taught by my friends, I ended up studying in multiple layers. My grades began to rise. My friends’ grades also improved, and upon hearing this, other friends applied to join our study group.
We established rules to follow when organizing and teaching in our study group. ‘When teaching or asking questions, use respectful language; do not mock the friend acting as the teacher; and if something isn’t understood, ask questions until it is.’ We believed that for the study group to remain more than just a gathering of friends, an atmosphere of mutual respect, consideration, and cooperation needed to be fostered, and especially that the ‘teacher’ role deserved respect. Through this attitude of mutual respect, consideration, and willingness to share what we learned, the study group could continue steadily, and we could also create an environment where we could help each other.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
“A leader who helps students develop an interest in the subject of biology”
I aspire to be a leader who helps many students develop an interest in biology, making it accessible and engaging rather than daunting. I aim to be not just a teacher who lectures on biology from textbooks, but one who inspires deep curiosity and passion for the subject. Through fun teaching methods, I want to create an environment where students don’t just study from textbooks, but actively seek out diverse books, lectures, and resources to learn independently. To lead such engaging classes, adhere to the curriculum, and plan activities that spark student interest, I must cultivate deep knowledge of biology myself and develop the knowledge and skills required of an educator. I will excel in Gyeongsang National University’s Biology Education program, focusing on inquiry-based experiments and hands-on, field-centered courses. I will not only master the theoretical foundations of my major but also study to apply this theory effectively. Furthermore, I will constantly monitor trends in high school education and continuously research how to apply these trends to enhance the satisfaction of both parents and students.
Alongside completing my major courses, I will cultivate a liberal arts education in fields beyond biology, such as humanities and philosophy, striving to become an excellent teacher who can positively influence students. Becoming a teacher is also a process of developing one’s character and personal integrity. To become a teacher whom students respect, I believe the foremost requirement is to become someone who can help students improve their character through exemplary personal integrity and humanistic, philosophical thinking. Therefore, I will not only strive to achieve the highest grades in my biology education major courses but also actively participate in various liberal arts courses and external activities to cultivate my abilities, thereby nurturing my character and personal integrity.
