THE IMPORTANCE OF PRACTICUM ACCORDING TO BIOLOGIAL SCIENCES STUDENTS: A STUDY ABOUT THE STUDENTS OF A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN MINAS GERAIS

Abstract

Practicum is a subject much relevant for teacher education. However, it has not been so well explored, although it is essential for the graduation students the comprehension of this specific subject as well as its importance. Therefore, a research was launched and its results are exposed in this paper. The intention was to check how Biological Sciences’ students understand the practicum subjects and if they comprehend the importance of them to their education. Due to that, some students of a public University of Minas Gerais were asked to answer some questions about practicum. In order to write this paper the analysis of the results was considered and it showed us that the students consider practicum an essential subject for their education, confirming, then, what is described in the literature about this specific matter. So, we think it’s important to emphasize practicum, as a tool for teacher education that presents both, theoretical and practical aspects. Based on this idea, we affirm that understanding and using better this tool is the basis for the desired changes that are related to basic education in Brazil, since the future teachers are going to be more well prepared to face their students and present to them a new praxis, which tends to be more inspiring and, consequently, engaging. Ultimately, using practicum properly is necessary for teacher education to fulfill its social purpose as qualifying the new teachers and providing to the students a richer experience in the basic education field.