Vertebrados silvestres na escola : uma abordagem etnozoológica na interface saberes da tradição versus educação biológica formal

Abstract

The knowledge of life diversity, and in particular, the wild fauna, has direct implications on the human evolutionary history. From the most basic conditions, human interactions with the natural environment have enabled the expansion of the fauna understanding, which are transmitted and acquired in different ways by the people. In this perspective, the present study addressed to analyze how urban/rural students comprehend by wild vertebrates and conservational issues, and what are the main sources of knowledge on the subject. Three public schools, one urban and two rural, were involved in the research located at Campina Grande, PB / Brazil. Data were obtained from three public schools, one urban and two rural, in the city of Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil. Questionnaires were given to 990 students (528 urban and 462 rural), distributed among all levels of basic education (students 9-38 years of age). It was used the technique of “content analysis” to categorize the descriptive data and tests of significance and correlation for statistical analyses. The results revealed that, despite the prevalence of wild vertebrates, the frequency of citations also for domestic animals and invertebrates [especially by rural students], evidences the need for more emphasis on knowledge about these elemental biological classifications. Among the origins of the knowledge about the animals mentioned in the research, the following stand out: "medias", "everyday experiences", "tradition" and "formal education". Regarding the affective-emotional aspects of affinity (preservation) and/or aversion (elimination) in relation to the mentioned vertebrates, there were variations in the animal preferences for both situations due to urban and rural contexts, socioeconomic factors and the gradual evolution curricular. With regards to wild vertebrates cited, highlighting the local fauna and taking as reference the processes of schooling experienced by the students, practically do not differ from those expressed outside the reference to schooling. Finally, the understanding of wild conservation express, especially by rural students, more emphasis on educational processes, since it is a fundamental concept to guide human attitudes and behaviors towards biodiversity and its maintenance.