International Journal of Progressive Education (IJPE)
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Development of Science Achievement Test Including the Units of quot%253BStates of Matter and Heat and Electricity in Our Lifequot%253B
No full textIn this study, a valid and reliable multiple-choice achievement test has been developed in order to measure the academic achievement of 8th grade students about the units of States of Matter and Heat and Electricity in Our Life. The pilot study of the achievement test was carried out with 30 questions which were prepared with at least one question from each gain related to unit gains. This study was conducted with 287 students having learned these subjects from two different schools in the central district of Siirt in 2017-2018 academic year. The validity and reliability studies of the achievement test items were performed. For the validity of the test, a table of specifications was prepared, and the test was examined by two faculty members and three science teachers. Item analysis and reliability analyzes of the test were performed with TAP 14.7. As a result of the analyzes, 3 items with low item discrimination index were excluded from the test. Mean discrimination index of the final test including 27 questions was found to be 0.520 and mean item difficulty index was 0.598. As a result of reliability analysis%253B KR20 value was calculated as 0,840 and Spearman-Brown value was 0,730. As a result of the study, a valid and reliable multiple-choice achievement test was introduced to the science education to measure the academic success of the students in the 8th grades about the units of States of Matter and Heat and Electricity in Our Life
Examining Factors for the Academic Motivation Based on the Confirmatory, the Exploratory and the Bifactor Exploratory Structural Equation Models
Get PDFOne of the aims of the current study is to specify the model providing the best fit to the data among the exploratory, the bifactor exploratory and the confirmatory structural equation models. The study compares the three models based on the model data fit statistics and item parameter estimations (factor loadings, cross-loadings, factor correlations) provided by the models. The second aim of the study is to examine correlations among the factor scores, the academic achievement and the goal orientations to provide criterion validity for the person parameter estimations of the best-fitting model. The Academic Motivation Scale was conducted on 1,858 junior and senior students. The three measurement models were compared based on the model data fit and parameter estimations. All estimations were done on the Mplus 6.0 statistical program using the Maximum Likelihood method. It was found that the bifactor exploratory structural equation model provided only trivial improvement on the model data fit relative to the exploratory structural equation model. However, the results of the study revealed that including a general factor in the model achieved a decrease in item cross-loadings. In addition, items could lie along the relative autonomy continuum in a consistent way with the Self-Determination Theory according to their general factor loadings estimated by the bifactor model. The model data fit statistics, parameter estimations and correlation coefficients indicated that the bifactor exploratory structural equation better fit to data than the other two models both theoretically and statistically
Opinions of Biology Teachers About Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Education in Turkey
Get PDFThe rapid development and impact of nanoscience and nanotechnology (NSNT) on economy has led policy makers and educators to focus on nanotechnology education. The two main views concerning appropriate level to teach nanoscience and nanotechnology (NSNT)%253A The first favors teaching in higher education%253B the second recommends familiarizing and teaching in all grade levels. Aim of this study is to determine the opinions about NSNT education and to propose NSNT education for biology curriculum using the current status. A teacher interview form was used for data collection and applied to 121 biology teachers. Data collected via questionnaires were analyzed through quantitative descriptive analysis. Biology teachers opinions of NSNT education focused on definition, awareness, importance and developments, benefits, applications, risks and ethical issues. Participants presented view of integrating nanotechnology topics into the curriculum and expected a positive impact on students career preferences. Teachers believed that prior training and readiness were not meeting the required levels%253B also, difficulties such as conceptualization and mentally visualizing, technical and infrastructure deficiencies, were the serious obstacles to be overcome for successful implementation. High cost was also a negative impact on integration of NSNT in schools%252Fclasses
Do Tubitak-4006 Science Fairs Achieve Its Objectives%253F The Viewpoints of School Administrators And Teachers
Get PDFThe aim of this study is to review the opinions of principals and teachers on TUBITAK-4006 (Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) science fairs which are organized in about 10.000 schools every year in Turkey. This study is a qualitative research and it is formed with phenomenological design. The study group is determined with criterion sampling method, and it comprises 10 teachers and 10 school administrators who have participated in TUBITAK-4006 science project fairs. The data are collected with a semi-structured interview form, and the interviews are carried out face to face. The data collected have been evaluated using content analysis method. As a result of the analysis, the viewpoints of the school administrators and teachers are presented in two themes and seven categories. For the both participant groups, the themes are analysed by categorizing them as the effects on teachers, the effects on students and parents. Besides, the suggestions category is indicated under one single title. According to the findings, all the participants stated that TUBITAK-4006 science project fairs are useful if carried out considering their purposes while they cause more harm when their objectives are disregarded
What Messages a Documentary and Biographical Film Give About the Nature of Science to Prospective Science Teachers%253F
Get PDFIn this study, the experience of prospective science teachers, who watched a cinema film adapted from the life story of a well-known scientist for the first time in an informal environment, was examined. Answers of two questions were sought in the study%253B (1) what aspects of the nature of science did the prospective science teachers experience through which scenario elements of the film%253F (2) how do pre-service teachers interpret these experiences%253F In this study, being conducted based on hermeneutic phenomenology design%253B the data were collected through focus group interviews with semi-structured questions prepared by taking into consideration the aspects of the nature of science. Participants were 29 (23 girls, 6 boys) prospective science teachers. The collected data were analyzed by qualitative methods. The findings showed that the participants experience and interpret some aspects of the nature of science through specific scenario elements (representations). It was determined that participants highlighted certain sections (e.g. process of discovery, social reaction) in the story. It was observed that the participants correlated these sections with the nature of science in a positive or negative way and interpret them. The results show that these kinds of films adopted from history of science, which are recommended in the literature, can give positive messages about the nature of science. In addition, it was observed that the film caused misconceptions about the nature of science, especially due to the scenario. Therefore, it can be said that such films produced for different purposes may lead to some problems in the teaching of the nature of science. From this point of view, even if such films are used, it is obvious that rather than an informal environment, it is necessary to integrate these films into a more structured learning environment where inappropriate messages given by the film can be seen critically
Investigating Invariant Item Ordering Using Mokken Scale Analysis for Dichotomously Scored Items
Get PDFMokken models have recently started to become the preferred method of researchers from different fields in studies of nonparametric item response theory (NIRT). Despite increasing application of these models, some features of this type of modelling need further study and explanation. Invariant item ordering (IIO) is one of these areas, which the present study aims to exemplify using a real dataset and comparing the findings of different methods. The main purpose of this study is to check the IIO assumption for a large scale test by using different methods. Data relating to the high school placement test (applied in 2016) was investigated. The sample size was determined as being 250, which complies with NIRT. Two different methods have been used for dichotomous items in the IIO testing%253A rest-scores and P-matrix methods. The HT coefficients were also calculated in order to define the placement of item response functions. Findings show that the test battery is not suitable for Mokken scaling. IIO property was not met for any of the tests, and findings from the different methods were not consistent with each other. As for the results, the rest-score method defined more items violating IIO properties than the P-matrix method for all the tests. The HT coefficients were also estimated from the critical value, which shows that the tests do not have IIO properties. The conflicting results indicate that there is a need for new studies to investigate IIO empirically.
Determination of Science and Primary Teachers%252339%253B Teaching and Learning Conceptions and Constructivist Learning Environment Perceptions
No full textThe significance of both science education and scientific communication has increased in parallel to increase in scientific knowledge and rapid advances in technology. In producing students who have science literacy, skills of scientific process and higher-level thinking skills teaching-learning approach of teachers and communication between teachers and students are very significant. The purpose of this study is to determine the science teachers and primary teachers learning and teaching conceptions and constructivist learning environment perceptions. The sample of the study consists of 100 participants from science teachers and primary teachers working at the public schools in the Central Anatolia region. quot%253BEasily accessible sampling methodquot%253B was used for the selection of the participants. The study is quantitative research and comparative screening model which is directed to the determination of the current state has been used. Teaching-Learning Conceptions Questionnaire (TLCQ) and Constructivist Learning Environment Survey (CLES) have been used as the means of data collecting. The findings of the study suggest that the classroom teachers had a constructivist approach in contrast to a conventional approach in regard to learning and teaching (X%253D 4,45 and X%253D3,37, respectively). Similarly, it was found that the science teachers had a constructivist approach in contrast to a conventional approach in regard to learning and teaching (X%253D 4,49 and X%253D3,49, respectively). It was found that the participants generally had a constructivist approach and that their perception about constructivist learning setting is higher than the medium level. It was also found that the science teachers had higher perceived levels of about constructivist learning setting than the classroom teachers. The results of the MANOVA indicated that the professional experience of the participants had a significant effect on the perception levels about the constructivist learning-teaching approach. Thats why the research for the reflections in application gains importance in this study
Sensitivity to Animals Through the Eyes of Primary School Students
Get PDFAnimal love holds an important role in the emotional and social development of children. The ability of children to form an attachment to and to take responsibility for an animal, and the development of sensitive behaviors towards animals emphasize the importance of animal love in the personal development of children. This study was conducted to examine the views of primary school students about sensitivity to animals. The phenomenology design, among qualitative research methods, was used in the study. Based on criterion sampling and maximum variation sampling methods, 120 primary school students attending the 3rd grade of 3 distinct public schools with low, middle and high socioeconomic levels in Afyonkarahisar provincial center were determined as participants. The data of the study were obtained by using a semi-structured interview form. The data obtained in the study were analyzed with descriptive analysis technique, and students%252339%253B responses were examined in-depth, and results were tabulated using descriptions and supported with direct quotations from the views of primary school students. According to the findings, the ability of students to empathize with street animals, to give examples from their own lives on the protection and improving the living conditions of animals, and to use emotional statements like quot%253B%252339%253BI feel sorry for the animals left to the street%252339%253B, %252339%253BThe animal%252339%253Bs life is so precious%252339%253B, %252339%253BThey are living beings, too and like members of my family%252339%253Bquot%253B reveals that students have sensitivity to animals
Using Text Commentary Method in Reading Education
Get PDFReading skills are important in terms of listening, creating comprehension as well as supporting narrative skills (speaking and writing). There are various strategies, methods and techniques related to reading in the literature. Although it is not common today, text commentary method was common in the past. Text commentary method is described as the skills of comprehension and expression of comprehension. The purpose of this study is to explore how the text commentary method can be used in reading education. In alignment with this purpose, studies related to text commentary method were examined to identify the levels involved in text annotation. The identified levels were then compared to the reading gains in the Turkish Language Teaching Program published in 2018 and to the PISA reading skill area levels. It was concluded that text commentary method is a suitable method to improve reading skills. Text commentary method can be used in reading studies which is part of Turkish language education
Examination of the Teachers Multicultural Perceptions%253A Sample of Hatay Province
No full textThe objective of this research is to evaluate the multicultural perceptions of teachers working in Hatay city in terms of various variables. The study was carried out in the descriptive survey model, and the population consists of teachers working in different schools in the city of Hatay during the 2017ndash%253B2018 academic year. The sample of the study comprises of a total 300 teachers, 136 male and 164 female, who were randomly selected. In the study, along with lsquo%253BMulticulturalism Perception Scale (MPS) composed of 25 items and developed by Ayaz (2016), Personal Information Form, which aims to determine the demographic characteristics of teachers, and which was developed by the researcher, were used. Subsequently, for the identified sub-objectives%253B the arithmetic mean was used to specify the teachers%252339%253B perceptions of multiculturalism%253B independent groups t-test to identify the relevance with gender variable and ANOVA were used to examine the relationship between age, branch and school type variables. Data was analysed using SPSS 21 and Mplus 7 programs. In order to examine teachers%252339%253B multicultural perception levels in terms of various variables, t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were applied. In conclusion, it was discovered that teachers%252339%253B perceptions of multiculturalism did not change statistically according to gender and age variables, but it was found that there was a statistically significant change according to branch and school type variables. A statistically significant difference between teachers%252339%253B perceptions of multiculturalism was found only among preschool teachers and branch teachers. According to the school type variable, teachers%252339%253B perceptions of multiculturalism differed significantly only between preschool and secondary school teachers