Upper Secondary Science

Critical Examination of Syllabus

of Form 4 Biology
• Curriculum Development Division(CDD) responsible
for preparing curriculum supporting material such as
textbook.
• Textbooks are written for the people that are in
relation in teaching and learning process for example
the teachers, lecturers, student and any person that
seek for knowledges.
• Comprehensive compilation of contents or manual of
instruction in a branch of study to meet the needs of
educational institution.
• No ideal textbook as the CDD will revise and check it
validity from time to time.
• Textbook is the basic material needed in carry
out curricula
• The syllabus in the textbook provide a
guideline and contents of what to be learn in
the curriculum
• To make sure the content in the curricular to
be delivered structurally and systematically
• The textbook is a book used as a standard source
of information for formal study of a subject and
instrument for teaching and learning (Graves
2000: 175).
• It is one of the many sources for teachers to draw
in creating an effective lesson and offer a
framework of guidance and orientation.
• Facilitate and help teachers to keep in track and
enhance their teaching and learning process.
• Textbook does not limit on how and the way
of teaching and learning to take place because
it only a form of guideline and how to be
implemented is depend on the skills and
ability of the teacher to make it efficient,
beneficial, enjoyable and meaningful.
• Without textbook misleading and
misconception may occur in teaching and
learning process
• Without textbook also it is hard to deliver a
structural and organize teaching and learning
as it may differ from one another hence
textbook as a basic guide in teaching and
learning.
• The guideline and framework for teachers in teaching
the subject of biology.
• Biology is a dry and difficult subject because it deals
with loads of contents, facts and mechanism that
need to be understand and memorize.
• Biology textbook provide the needs and assist
teacher in delivering the content and knowledge
hence empower teacher to provide an effective
teaching and learning process.
• Depend on the teacher skills and ability to further
empower the teaching and learning process.
- Attractive?
- How much do you use?
- Useful?
- Condition?
- Overall?
Language is in Malay

Based on KBSM

Price of RM12.00

About 250 pages

9 chapter
 Keywords
Brief
Introduction
of Topic

Learning
Objectives
Learning Subtopic
Outcome

Pictures

Activity:
Discussion
Evaluation
Mind Map
 Summary of
the Topic

Question of
the Topic
Mind Map
(colour)
Summary with highlighted keywords
Questions with coloured picture (attractive)
Existing of Blue Colour
 Online
Source (web)

Biology Fact
MCQ Answer Scheme Each Topic
52 Glossaries in Total
References of the Textbook
Indexes of the Textbook
The textbook is a good textbook because:
• Promotes self-directing learning with the keywords,
online sources of the content, and biology facts.
• Learning objective and outcome embedded in the
textbook in each chapter.
• The present of activities such as discussion, MCQ
question and short answer question in each topic allow
student to enhance their mastery of the topic
respectively.
• Provide answer to the question given but only for MCQ
but not for the short answer question (cons).
• Glossaries and indexes to help student understand
more and find certain words easily.
CRITICAL EXAMINATION: THE SCOPE
Coverage of the Themes

Number and Arrangement of the Topics

Learning Objectives and Learning Outcome

Scientific Key Concepts

Possible Misconceptions across the Topic

 Coverage of the themes: Malaysian
THEME 1:
INTRODUCING • Introduction to Biology
BIOLOGY
THEME 2: • Cell structure and cell organization
INVESTIGATING • Movement of substances across the plasma membrane
THE CELL AS A
BASIC UNIT OF • Chemical composition of the cell
LIVING THINGS • Cell division

THEME 3:
INVESTIGATING • Nutrition
THE PHYSIOLOGY • Respiration
OF LIVING THINGS
THEME 4:
INVESTIGATING
THE RELATIONSHIP • Dynamic ecosystem
BETWEEN LIVING • Endangered ecosystem
THINGS AND
ENVIRONMENT
 Coverage of the themes: Singapore
THEME 1: • 1. Cell Structure and Organisation
PRINCIPLES OF • 2. Movement of Substances
BIOLOGY • 3. Biological Molecules

• 4. Nutrition in Humans
• 5. Nutrition in Plants
THEME 2: • 6. Transport in Flowering Plants
MAINTENANCE • 7. Transport in Humans
AND REGULATION
• 8. Respiration in Humans
OF LIFE
• 9. Excretion in Humans
PROCESSES
• 10. Homeostasis
• 11. Co-ordination and Response in Humans

• 12. Reproduction
THEME 3:
• 13. Cell Division
CONTINUITY OF
• 14. Molecular Genetics
LIFE
• 15. Inheritance

THEME 4:
MAN AND HIS • 16. Organisms and their Environment
ENVIRONMENT