Laboratory Experiment as a Motivational Factor to Learn in Roma Elementary School Children

In Serbia alarmingly few Roma children go to school, and they perform far worse compared to their non-Roma peers. In this paper, effects of laboratory experiments on acquiring knowledge in Roma children were investigated. Pedagogical experiment with parallel groups was conducted with third-grade elementary Roma and non-Roma students. Both control and experimental groups attended lectures on topics related to environmental protection, and the experimental group also conducted laboratory experiments. After final testing, the experimental subgroup of Roma students exhibited better progress. Results indicate that engaging in students’ laboratory experiments is an adequate strategy of teaching Roma school children, and the raised interest in school subjects through practical work is a guarantee of their completing primary education.

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