The use of internet tools for teaching and learning by in-service biology teachers: A survey in Brazil

•A survey on the use of the internet by Brazilian biology teachers.•Brazilian biology teachers spontaneously use the internet to improve teaching.•Brazilian biology teachers use the internet essentially in a distributive way.

The study investigated the profile of use of internet tools by in-service biology teachers in the State of Rio de Janeiro. We identified four purposes of use: Study, Didactic, Professional Management and Personal Socialization. The pedagogical use internet tools proved to be small. It was mostly focused to the search for information about biological contents for individual use and to the download of materials to distribute to the students. We discussed the importance of articulating policies and programs of teacher education through the development of activities to raise awareness about the pedagogical potential of collaborative internet tools among Brazilian teachers.