Search

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a design thinking teaching and learning model on students' design thinking skills in science class. The study utilised two projects, 'Making a Simple Solar Water Heater' and 'Drawing a 3D Topographic Map of Zhejiang Province,' based on the 5th-grade science curriculum in China, and involved 45 Grade-5 students from a primary school. The quasi-experimental repeated measure method was used to evaluate the students' improvement in design thinking skills, with task-based pre-, mid-, and post-tests. Employing quantitative data analysis, the results showed significant improvement in students' overall performance, with more pronounced improvement between the pre-test and post-test than between the pre-test and mid-test. The analysis of the seven design indexes of students' design work demonstrated significant improvement in five indicators, except for 'material' and 'shape.' The study highlights the importance of incorporating design thinking into elementary school curricula to equip students with the necessary competencies for success in the twenty-first-century workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous artificial intelligence methods have lately been applied in education. This study proposes an Adaptive Neural-network-based Fuzzy Logic (ANFIS) model combining fuzzy logic and artificial neural networks for predicting students' STEM attitudes. The inputs of the research were determined as grade levels and academic achievement scores, and the output was determined as STEM attitudes. The hybrid optimisation method trained the fuzzy inference system (FIS) to recognise the more effective ANFIS model. Afterward, the effects of the input variables on the output variable were examined with statistical techniques. Finally, the students' artificial and real STEM attitude scores were compared. 600 middle school students participated in the study, and data were gathered using a Personal Information Form and STEM Attitude Scale. The study revealed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.298; p = 0.000) between the generated ANFIS scores and real scores, the real and artificial scores didn't indicate a statistically significant difference. Therefore, the results obtained through ANFIS correctly predict students' STEM attitude scores. The grade level and academic achievement variables showed statistically significant differences in STEM attitudes. This study is a concrete example as it shows that it is possible to know some characteristics of students using artificial intelligence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between school principals' instructional leadership and collaborative culture in schools. The study was conducted using a cross-sectional survey with a sample of 382 teachers. The data were collected through the Principal Instructional Management Rating Scale (PIMRS) and the School Culture Survey. Multiple regression analysis was used to estimate relationships among the variables. The study findings indicate that instructional leadership practices were significantly and positively related to collaborative culture in schools. The findings are discussed according to the related literature, and suggestions are made for policy and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this case study was to examine how the life skills of high school students are affected by holistic learning via an experiential learning model. Extracurricular programs can help students gain communicate and cooperate with others, and cope with chaotic situations through holistic learning in school curricula. The students received in-school theoretical and practical education and outdoor basic mountaineering training. Data were collected through interviews, field notes, reflective journals. Two themes were identified: 'School is the trailer, the actual film is in nature' and 'nature makes you notice yourself, relationships, life.' In conclusion, supporting the school curriculum with outdoor activities will help students build skills such as problem solving, resilience, empathy, cooperation, and communication, while also gaining confidence and environmental awareness. Thus, they will be able to realize their own potential and become sensitive to environmental problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teacher roles and classroom discourses have great influence on classroom discussions within the context of socio-scientific issues. Investigation of teacher roles and classroom discourses is of great importance in the construction of the classroom environment in which students can support their views and the reasons underlying their views through scientific data in cases such as Covid-19 requiring decision-making at community level. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the roles adopted by science teachers in bringing the socio-scientific issue of Covid-19 vaccine into their classrooms and whether the communicative approach they employed and the teacher roles they adopted complied with the discourses they drew on in their classes. The study employed the case study design, one of the qualitative research methods and the study group was comprised of three science teachers and the students in their classes. As the data sources, video-recordings of the teachers' lessons and the vignettes related to the roles adopted by the teachers in addressing socio-scientific issues were used. The similarities and differences between the roles adopted by the teachers and the discourses used by them were examined and the communicative approach used by the teachers in their lessons was analyzed through discourse analysis. It was found that the reasons proposed by the three science teachers to explain why they adopted these roles complied with their discourses used in the classes. It was observed that the more experienced teachers offered more opportunities for their students to talk in their classes (used dialogical discourse) and that the roles adopted by all the teachers and the discourses used by them in their classes were consistent with each other. Students are required to speak scientifically and actively participate in science lessons. However, the teacher's role in the classroom environment, classroom interactions, and the quality of this interaction are very important for this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study intends to predict the secondary school students' academic achievements using machine learning methods, to determine the features that have the greatest influence on achievement, and to develop a system for the prediction of academic achievement. In line with this objective, the prediction of year-end weighted grade point averages using secondary school students' socioeconomic, demographic characteristics, and course grade data is addressed as a classification problem. The data set used in the present study was collected from students studying at a secondary school in Istanbul province of Turkey. With the purpose of classification of the target variable, 7 machine learning algorithms, including K-Nearest Neighbor, Decision Trees, Random Forest, Support Vector Machines, Multilayer Perceptron, Logistic Regression, and Naive Bayes were applied, and their performances were compared. According to the results of the model performance evaluation, it becomes clear that the most successful model was the Random Forest algorithm (accuracy: 80.73%). The sample system developed based on the Random Forest model can be accessed at the following address: . The features of the students' academic background (grade point average of past years, Turkish course 1st-semester average, and Math 1st-semester average) were found as the features that most affect achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to test the effect of the problem-posing instruction experimentally based on the extended active learning framework on the development of Turkish middle school sixth-grade students' (N = 19) problem-posing and -solving skills with whole-number operations. The training programme was completed in 13 lessons over a seven-week period. The posed problems were analysed based on their mathematical validity and semantic complexity, and their solutions were analysed using a four-phase rubric. The students significantly improved their problem-posing and -solving skills. Furthermore, students improved their skill to pose more complex problems in terms of number and type of semantic structures after the training programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a case study on students' cross-sectioning in an informal and innovative learning environment designed based on Studio Thinking and Artful Thinking Frameworks. Participants were four seventh-grade students. Students' documents and video recordings were analysed at different structures of the studio (analysing works of art, creating artwork, and critiquing) and the approach to data analysis was interpretive microanalysis. The findings of the study indicated that the studio work designed in the current study made students' cross-sectioning visible through diverse tasks, requiring an understanding of the relation between 2D and 3D (identification of the slices of 3D geometric figures and construction of 3D figures from the 2D slices) at different structures of the studio. This study suggests new avenues for the design of tasks on cross-sectioning for middle school students and the design of learning environments by presenting detailed information about what is going on in these environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to reveal potential sources of students' difficulty and misconceptions about geometrical concepts with the help of eye tracking. In this study, the students' geometrical misconceptions were explored by answering the questions on the geometry test prepared based on the literature and test-taking processes and represented with the help of eye tracking data to make interpretations about their visual and cognitive attention. With this aim, the mixed method research design was used. The data were collected through the geometry test, eye tracking measurements, and the think aloud strategy. Geometry test scores were represented by descriptive statistics such as percentage. The quantitative eye tracking data were analysed by Kruskal–Wallis tests and Mann–Whitney U-tests among the choices for each question. The qualitative data collected through the think aloud strategy were analysed by the content analysis. In the findings, the students' geometrical misconceptions were examined and reported in detail from a different perspective with the help of data related to eye tracking. Then, eye tracking data and qualitative data showed the geometry misconception items on which the students had difficulty and cognitive conflict in addition to geometrical misconception based on the students' answers to the geometry questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the integration of goal-based scenario (GBS) approach into a block-based coding instruction. Scratch platform was used to find out the effects of GBSs on programming skills of students, who did not have any programming experience. GBSs were used during practice and the development in students' weekly products was examined. This study was designed on the basis of mixed methodology. The quasi-experimental part includes experimental and control groups. The groups received the same lecture by the same lecturer, but in the laboratory sessions the practicing approach was designed separately. The experimental group received GBS integrated tasks. The scenario flow of each week occurred through an existing character. The students completed 10 products during one semester. The scores of students' weekly products, observation notes of the researchers, pre and post-test scores, and interview data were analyzed and used in a complimentary manner. The analyses showed that GBS integration significantly affected the knowledge and skill improvement in block-based programming. The knowncontributions of block-based tools were also observed, but the realistic nature of GBSs contributed the programming instruction in the affective dimension. They served as tools for motivation, scaffolding, and monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was aimed to review the effect of the use of augmented reality applications on the academic achievement of students in science education in this study. In line with this aim, the experimental researches reviewing the effect of use of augmented reality applications within the scope of science course on student achievement were evaluated with meta-analysis method. 16 studies included into this research were accessed from ERIC, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Taylor & Francis, Web of Science databases in line with certain criteria. In order to reach these studies from databases, the following key words were used; "'augmented reality' & 'achievement'" and "'augmented reality' & 'achievement & science'". Funnel plot, Orwin's Fail-Safe N and Egger tests were used for detecting the publication bias and it was determined that there is no publication bias. At the end of the meta-analysis, it was determined that the effect of the use of the augmented reality applications on the student achievement in the science course is moderate (d = 0,643) in favor of the experimental group. Thus, it was presented that the use of the augmented reality applications affects the student achievement positively in the science course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the relationship between reading fluency and high-stakes test achievement is well known, studies were conducted in similar contexts. This correlational study aimed to investigate the relationship between reading error types (insertions, omissions, mispronunciations, and total) and reading fluency (rate, accuracy, and prosody) in narrative and informative text and scores and percentiles in high school placement test (LGS). Seventy-seven eighth graders were selected from three different schools from low–socioeconomic status districts. Simple linear regression and partial and Pearson correlations were performed. The results showed that reading error types and reading fluency are significant predictors of LGS. Informative text predicted more variance than narrative text. Interestingly, as omissions in informative text increase, the achievement in LGS increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the visual estimation skills of fourth grade elementary school students based on their mathematical thinking processes were investigated. The research questions focus on understanding how students' mathematical thinking processes influence their visual estimation skills. A total of 445 students participated in the study. The relational scanning model was used to determine the relationship between students' visual estimation skills and their mathematical thinking processes. The Mathematical Process Instrument and the Visual Estimation Skills test were used as data-gathering tools. The data obtained were analyzed using different statistical methods, including the chi-squared test, t-test, and single-factor analysis of variance. The findings contribute to our understanding of the complex relationship between mathematical thinking processes and visual estimation skills in students, addressing the research questions raised in the study. These results can inform educators and instructional designers when developing effective teaching materials and strategies that cater to students' diverse thinking processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to investigate the current validity of Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory (HNT). Based on social role theory, Mannheim's theory of generations and income inequality approach and in the light of the purpose, this research is conducted with MMR (mixed-methods research) which has two sub-studies. In the first study, 240 randomly chosen people were asked to compare the satisfaction priority of needs pairwise. The data were examined according to different demographic groups that participated in the study. Results showed that Maslow's HNT depends on gender, age, and income level. The second study was conducted to deeply understand why this variety in the hierarchy occurs. Thus, we interviewed 12 people, chosen with purposive sampling, of different age, gender, and income level of the aforementioned sample. In the discussion part, the results of both sub-studies were interpreted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is known that oral history studies have a positive effect on students' learning, skills, attitudes, and motivations. In this direction, it has an important place in the context of student-centered constructivist practices in teaching different subjects in social studies courses. Social studies teachers should have sufficient knowledge and skills about oral history to carry out effective studies in their classes. Hence, the training of teachers in this context during their undergraduate period is of great importance. This study aims to share the experiences of oral history studies conducted by prospective teachers attending the department of social studies education at a state university in Türkiye. Within the scope, the prospective teachers' oral history studies under the lecturer's guidance were examined and evaluated by considering the determined criteria. By making inferences and sharing experiences about this process, it was thought that researchers, teacher educators, and teachers could be given an idea about the issues that should be considered in the oral history practices in teaching. The data collection methods of this research which was realized in the case study design, were observation, document examination, and interview. Content and descriptive analysis methods were used in the analysis of the data. As a result, it was determined that prospective teachers had difficulties in some stages of oral history research and at the same time, they achieved significant gains. Based on the experience gained from the research, some suggestions were made to improve similar studies and classroom practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study is to examine the mathematical reasoning and the argumentation process of 7th-grade students during problem-solving and their views on this process. The case study method was employed in line with the purpose. The study group was determined by criterion sampling. Considering the criteria of students' scores on the Problem-Solving Achievement Test (PSAT) and teachers' opinions, two students were chosen for the study group. PSAT, routine and non-routine problems, and a semi-structured interview form were used as data collection tools. After the problems were implemented, the interviews with the students took place. The data obtained from the problems were analyzed by following a predetermined framework. Consequently, the students used creative reasoning in most non-routine problems, whereas they used imitative reasoning in all routine problems. Considering the solution process of all the problems, they employed the most claim component and the least backing and rebuttal components. The students generally used the most argument component when they used creative reasoning and delimiting algorithmic reasoning, and the least when they used memorized reasoning or familiar algorithmic reasoning. In addition, some of the argument components differed according to the reasoning types, while others generally did not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study primarily aimed to examine whether high school students' exposure to teacher violence and peer bullying predicts their aggressive behaviors and attitudes toward school. The study group of the research included a total of 880 secondary education students (473 girls, 407 boys) (mean age: 16.26) studying in different cities of Turkey. The research utilized measures including "Personal Information Form," "Teacher Violence Scale," "Peer Bullying Scale Adolescent Form," "Aggressive Behavior Scale," and "School Attitude Scale." The analyses performed showed that the variables exposure to teacher violence (β=.304) and peer bullying (β=.281) explained 26% of students' aggression variance. Similarly, exposure to teacher violence (β= −.302) and exposure to peer bullying (β= −.109) predicted students' school attitudes by 14%. The findings were discussed in line with the relevant literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to examine how preservice middle-school mathematics teachers connect mathematics with museum resources in their lesson plans. Nine museum-based mathematics lesson plans developed by preservice teachers were examined, based on the interactive experience model. The findings showed that although the preservice teachers were able to connect museum exhibits with many mathematical concepts, most recognised only explicit representations of mathematics in the various objects, and not the more abstract mathematical concepts embedded in those objects. The preservice teachers also used the museum resources in their lesson plans to provide a context or problem situation in which students could use mathematics in procedural ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to examine the extent to which pre-service teachers' mathematical connection skills were promoted through the course designed within the scope of pedagogies of practice (Grossman et al. [2009]. Teaching practice: A cross-professional perspective. Teachers College Record, 111(9), 2055–2100. https://doi.org/10.1177/016146810911100905) in the teacher education programme. Data were collected in a course that was designed to develop pre-service mathematics teachers' (PSTs) mathematical connections skills through a classroom teaching experiment with individual contributions to the whole class learning process. Thirty-six PSTs who were enrolled in the course participated in the present study. Initial and revised lesson plans were used as primary data collection instruments. In the most general sense, the findings demonstrated that most of the PSTs improved their mathematical connection skills during the course. The results of the current study provide insight into how the courses in undergraduate education should be implemented to give PSTs opportunities to develop their mathematical connection skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of the study were: (a) to develop, assess the psychometric properties and explore the factorial structure of the COVID-19 Depression Scale (COVID-19DS), (b) to explore correlations of the COVID-19DS scores with the Perceived Health-related Components Scale (PHCS) scores, and (c) to examine gender differences. A total sample of 313 Turkish students was selected. Cronbach's α was.92. Two factors were extracted and labeled Affective, Cognitive, and Somatic/Vegetative and COVID-19 Depression. The COVID-19DS score was negatively correlated with the PHCS score. Females scored higher than males on the COVID-19DS, and lower than males on the PHCS. Perceived health-related components were most frequently rated as much worse or worse for current status compared to before the COVID-19 outbreak. The COVID-19DS is recommended for use in assessing depression due to coronavirus and as a screening tool to identify those with extremely high scores who may be in need of psycho-educational interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the effects of internal migration on students from the perspective of high school teachers and students. The study employed qualitative research with a phenomenological design. The study group consisted of nine teachers and seventeen high school students from Mardin city in Turkey with a migrant experience. The researchers collected data using semi-structured interviews and used a descriptive analysis technique to analyse the data. The results of the study show that participants from both groups (teachers and students) agreed on the following issues: adolescents from immigrant families have difficulty adapting to school life; their level of academic success is lower and they have difficulty making new friends. Most of the students stated that they have problems forming relationships with their peers at school. The study's results emphasised the necessity for collaboration among educational, health, and social institutions to ensure the adjustment of migrant students to their new schools and environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior to the 1980s, Turkey experienced a period of vicious political polarisation and even violent conflicts. The 1980 coup administration strived to reach an agreement regarding nationalism, religion, and Kemalism. Following the military coup of 1980, the Social Studies course was abandoned in secondary schools in 1985 and the National History, National Geography, and Citizenship courses were reconstituted. Thus, the word national was placed in the front of the History and Geography courses for the first time in Turkey. The notion of National Geography in National Geography lessons mostly highlighted geographical areas settled by Turks. The overall course content was shaped by Kemalist ideology. This study therefore critically evaluates the National Geography lessons taught in secondary schools in the aftermath of the 1980 coup. Official documents from the period and textbooks are the primary resources for this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates middle school students' reasoning about parallelism and perpendicularity of two line segments. Data were collected from 83 middle school students through an identification task consisting of various examples and non-examples of the parallelism and perpendicularity of two line segments. One-to-one interviews were also conducted with fifteen students to support students' written reasons. The results indicated that middle school students identify parallel/perpendicular line segments by using three types of reasoning: visual reasoning, attribute reasoning, and language-based reasoning. With the influence of the concept images shaped by prototypical and intuitive examples and linguistic factors, some students either focused on non-critical attributes of the concepts as the critical ones or omitted critical attributes of the concepts. Hence, they either identified examples of parallel line segments and perpendicular line segments as non-examples or considered non-examples of the concepts as examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, virtual reality seems to be deevloping rapidly. However, it can be said that virtual reality is in the early days of adoption for education. Studies show that using virtual reality in education can positively affect students' learning experiences. In this study, the effect of an educational virtual reality game, named "Keşfet Kurtul", on fourth-grade students' academic achievement in fractions and their engagement to mathematics was investigated. The experimental study was carried out using a quasi-experimental design. The educational VR game was used in the treatment group (N = 32). In the comparison group (N = 32), the method applied in school, which includes predominantly mobile applications developed in fractions, were used. As a result of the research; the educational VR game "Keşfet Kurtul" was found to increase academic achievement and to maintain the level of student engagement in mathematics. It was determined that the experimental method has the same effect as the method applied in school in the comparison group, in terms of academic achievement and student engagement to mathematics. Besides, in terms of social sub-dimension of student engagement, it was observed that Keşfet Kurtul was more effective than the method applied in school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focusing on the 25-year body of knowledge produced by studies on literacy skills in social studies education, the current study determines the trends of articles published in international journals. After the evaluation process, we reached 114 articles published between 1996 and 2020, which met our criteria and examined literacy skills in social studies education. We used bibliometric analysis and descriptive content analysis methods to systematically evaluate the articles. The bibliometric analysis results revealed that few studies were conducted on the relevant subject between 1996 and 2006, whereas there was a huge increase in the number of studies after 2006. We also found that most of the studies were conducted in the USA and that the articles were mostly published in journals about social studies education and literacy. Our content analysis results revealed that most of the studies used qualitative research methods and that pre-service teachers were usually selected as samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores a group of social studies teachers' conceptions of citizenship by taking into consideration the country's increasingly authoritarian political culture. It offers an analysis of semi-structured interviews carried out with 20 teachers working at state middle schools in a relatively secular city. The study found that the majority of the teachers are subscribed to a non-democratic conception of citizenship that prioritizes an uncritical loyalty to the nation, inculcates passive compliance, relies on a pro-Muslim notion of human rights, and makes little room for political issues discussion. Despite that, some teachers seem to develop oppositional discourses and seek ways to claim their agencies. The study concludes that the authoritarian Islamic nationalism in power has intensified the ethno-religiously nationalist, statist, and duty-centric aspects of citizenship education (CE). Some teachers' explicit emphasis on pro-Islamic and anti-western discourses and almost all teachers' explicit concern to stay away from politics emerge as novel characteristics that are consistent with the dictates of Turkey's authoritarian regime. It seems authoritarian populist nationalism redresses citizenship as an exclusionary notion grounded in race, ethnicity, religion, and civilizational claims. Insights from this research may help the advocates keep CE supportive of democratic values under authoritarian conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of LEGO-based educational applications on students' academic motivation, reflective thinking skill towards problem solving, spatial visualisation, and mental rotation comparatively. This study adopts a quasi-experimental research design with a control group. We recruited a total of twenty-six sixth graders from a private school. The data collection instruments were Reflective Thinking Skill Scale towards Problem Solving, Academic Motivation Scale, Spatial Visualisation Scale, and Mental Rotation Scale. The experimental process lasted for four weeks. LEGO-based teaching aids were employed in the experimental group, whereas Scratch-based educational applications were used in the control group. Based on the findings, there was an increase in the reflective thinking skill towards problem solving as well as mental rotation and spatial visualisation skills of the students in both groups. However, it has been found that the mean scores of reflective thinking skill towards problem solving and spatial visualisation skills of the experimental group students are higher than those of the control group. We conclude that LEGO-based educational applications have a more positive impact on the development of reflective thinking skill towards problem solving and spatial visualisation skill compared with Scratch-based educational applications. According to our findings, we discuss limitations and provide recommendations for researchers and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to determine the objectives in the Middle School Mathematics Course Curriculum that can be associated with entrepreneurship education and to prepare activities/questions related to these objectives to be studied in gaining entrepreneurship skills. The curriculum was examined according to the framework developed by Tarhan (2019b), which consists of the dimensions of business idea, finance, product design and production, promotion and marketing, and investment within entrepreneurship education. The data obtained through the examination of the objectives were analyzed by descriptive analysis, and it was determined that at least one objective could be associated with each of the dimensions at each grade level. In total, 42 objectives in the learning domains of 'numbers and operations, geometry and measurement, algebra, probability, and data processing' were determined related to the dimensions of entrepreneurship skills. Accordingly, sample activities/questions to be studied in gaining 20 different sub-skills of entrepreneurship education were prepared and it was suggested that further research can be conducted to investigate the effectiveness of these activities/questions prepared to develop entrepreneurship skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the increasing popularity of studies on teachers' national curriculum adaptations, there is no comparative study elucidating teachers' adaptations in centralized and decentralized educational contexts through sense-making theory lenses. This paper presents a comparative case study of Turkish and Swedish senior classroom teachers' curricular adaptations concerning sense-making theory. We get data through non-participatory lesson observations, interviews, and document analysis from two teachers teaching third-grade mathematics in each country (İzmir and Malmö). Findings reveal that both Turkish and Swedish senior teachers frequently extend, replace/revise and omit the mathematics curriculum. Turkish teachers provided extensive evidence about their adaptations and even tried explaining their reasons whereas Swedish teachers perceived the changes they made in the classroom as teaching rather than adaptations, due to different levels of centralization. Additionally, Turkish teachers responded with parallel structures and assimilation to the national curriculum, and Swedish teachers responded only with assimilation. However, a Turkish teacher's assimilation mediated fewer adaptations while both Swedish teachers' assimilation mediated more adaptations (extension and replacing/revising). We conclude by drawing implications for research on teachers' adaptations and sense-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the spread of online education due to the COVID-19 pandemic, instructional technologies have gained importance. One of these applications is digital story, which is the presentation of a story specific to a particular subject using various digital multimedia such as visual, audio and video. This case study aimed to reveal the effect of the digital story-based Science and Technology Club on students' digital story performance and academic achievement in the science course and to examine the students' and teacher's reflections on digital story-based experiences. As data sources, interviews with 16 students, teacher's reflection notes, students' digital stories and students' science course grades were analyzed. The evaluation of digital stories showed that they performed best in providing relevance of the content to science but had problems integrating voiceover and music. The students' science course grades significantly increased. The results also revealedthat digital story-based activities encouraged them to research and learn new information and their audio-visual features facilitated their learning. Moreover, students expressed that the use of digital stories triggered their technology skills and improved their social skills. Despite its contributing and motivating features, they stated various difficulties because of spending a lot of time in front of the screen while using this application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study has been shaped to cover two objectives. The first of these is to describe in detail the use of dialogic teaching in the field of Turkish reading comprehension, and the second is to determine the effect of dialogic teaching practices on reading comprehension success. The mixed-method design known as convergent design was used in this study. The qualitative research method known as basic qualitative research was preferred to answer the first research question. A quantitative approach was adopted to achieve the study's second objective. The quasi-experimental design was used at this stage. Thematic analysis was used to analyze and interpret qualitative data in the study. When the data obtained were analyzed, three themes were found: "Implementation in Terms of the Principles of Dialogical Teaching," "Problems Encountered by the Teacher in Practice," and "The Effect of Dialogical Teaching on Lessons." Mixed intra- and inter-group analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used in the analysis of the quantitative data collected pretest and post-test. The analysis results show that there is a difference between the effectiveness of being taught with dialogic teaching practices and being taught under the Turkish Lesson Curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmented reality provides an interactive learning medium for students to investigate abstract mathematical concepts in the real environment as well as contributes remarkable results in understanding concepts and supports enjoyment in the learning environment. Due to providing unique and novel opportunities in the learning environment and the sparseness of related studies about determining students' attitudes regarding AR-based mathematics; in this study, an attitude scale was developed. Its validity and reliability studies were conducted. Six hundred and thirteen middle school students participated in the study. Students' experiences and opinions regarding AR-supported mathematics education were investigated and an item pool for the scale was formed through content analysis of these opinions. To ensure construct validity, exploratory factor analysis was conducted. To determine the representative power of the factors formed, confirmatory factor analysis was performed. It is seen that the scale developed according to the results of the study is a valid and reliable measurement tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to design and develop an Arduino-assisted robotic and coding activity in compliance with the 5E instructional model in order to help secondary school students improve their science achievement in the science course. The research was conducted with 5th grade students studying at a private secondary school in Turkey in the spring semester of the 2020–2021 academic year. The implementation of the designed activity was carried out within the scope of the science course with the participation of 20 students. The activity is designed to teach the concept of dynamometer, which is considered within the scope of measuring force in the science course curriculum, in accordance with the 5E instructional model. In this activity, the elongation of the rubber band with a weight attached to the end was measured by a distance sensor, and a dynamometer model was designed by coding. In addition, this activity was presented to the students as one example of solving daily life problems by making use of technology. As a result, the students have the opportunity to explore Arduino-powered robotics and coding applications and integrate these applications into science course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the conceptualizations used by prospective middle school mathematics teachers when defining, representing, and exemplifying the slope concept and relating it with other mathematical situations were examined. Participants' conceptualizations were identified by Nagle, C., Moore-Russo, D., Viglietti, J., & Martin, K. [(2013). Calculus students' and instructors' conceptualizations of slope: A comparison across academic levels. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 11(6), 1491–1515. ] framework. The findings showed the prospective teachers mostly used trigonometric and parametric conceptions. Real-world situation, calculus conception, geometric ratio, and determining property were other common conceptualizations used by the participants. On the other hand, algebraic ratio, behaviour indicator, physical property, and functional property conceptualizations were seldom used and linear constant conceptualization was never used by them. The implications for mathematics teacher educators and mathematics education researchers on how to remedy prospective teachers' possible difficulties and errors about slope are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to examine mathematics teachers' interpretations of students' thinking within the scope of teaching experiments as a professional development activity. The method used in this study is a teaching experiment. The participants are 3 elementary school mathematics teachers. The teaching experiment consists of 5 teaching episodes and clinical interviews in each episode. The study was conducted in 15 weeks. The data collection tools consist of student solution sheets, written opinion forms, and video recordings of interviews and observation notes taken in clinical interviews after the application. Conceptual analysis of the data obtained from the teaching experiment was conducted as retrospective and prospective analysis. The results show that teachers developed the interpretation level of students' thinking by not only describing/commenting on students' solutions but also making appropriate comments on students' solutions in the process of teaching experiments. Considering that teachers can structure the content of their courses and classroom interaction based on students' different ways of thinking, it is believed that this study will provide foresight for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses the extent to which history education (HE) in Turkey adheres to the HE principles proposed by the Council of Europe. A compulsory history textbook is analyzed in detail. The analysis finds an understanding of HE that marginalizes minorities due to nationalist and militarist content. The Atatürk's Principles and History of Reforms (APHR) course also fail to include controversial historical issues and does not adopt a multiperspective approach. Thus, a vital question has emerged: Is the APHR a course that serves to develop universal values such as respect for differences, a culture of inclusion, and support for democracy, or does it continue to be used solely as a tool for reproducing national values or more precisely, the dominant groups' values? This question reveals the significance of developing a HE curriculum in Turkey and elsewhere that reflects current realities and also supports intercultural dialogue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to develop a GeoGebra-supported learning kit for teaching polygons and to examine mathematics teachers' opinions about it. The research was designed using a descriptive research model. The study group comprised 11 mathematics teachers who voluntarily participated in the in-service training called 'Dynamic Math Software (Geogebra)' in Turkey. In the study, data were collected through the 'Learning Kit Evaluation Form' and 'Questionnaire'. According to the opinions of the mathematics teachers, the GeoGebra-supported learning kit had enough fidelity related to learning outcomes, instruction, and programming. The opinions of the teachers during their experience in performing the GeoGebra-supported learning kit during in-service training indicated the changing role of the teacher in the classroom, advantages on the cognitive and affective development of the students, the quality of teaching; difficulties and disadvantages of using the GeoGebra-supported learning kit, and their intention to use the GeoGebra-supported learning kit in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the effect of history-of-mathematics activities on the development of mental computation of middle-grade students and to determine the students' views on the history of mathematics. This study was carried out as an action research project. The participants of the study consisted of 19 seventh-grade students studying at a middle school and a mathematics teacher. A mental computation proficiency test, a questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, field notes taken by the teacher and work sheets for the history of mathematics that were administered to the students were used during the data collection process of this study. At the end of the study, it was seen that the history-of-mathematics activities were effective in some of mathematical operations but not in some others. The history-of-mathematics activities were also found to contribute to the enrichment of computational strategies of the middle graders. Moreover, the middle grade students and the teacher who participated in the study stated that the history-of-mathematics activities had positive aspects, such as computational practicality, building positive attitudes towards mathematics and transferability to daily life. However, the history-of-mathematics activities were described to be difficult and complex by some of the students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is based on the premise that the constructed image of the national self is a fundamental criterion shaping the conceptions of history teaching in the Turkish educational system. In this regard, I argue that examining how particular ethno-religious groups are discursively positioned in relation to the idealised self-image can reveal whether and how history textbooks can be revised. Having described the historical and political context for the only curriculum revision occurred in 2013 concerning a non-Muslim community, the Assyrians, the article demonstrates that specific discursive strategies are used to position the Assyrian community in relation to the favourable national self-image, rather than a fixed categorization for non-Muslim communities. Adopting the methodological framework of critical discourse analysis, the author examines the portrayal of the Assyrian community in the secondary school Turkish history textbooks taught over the last three decades and identifies how the topoi of justice and tolerance, as well as allegiance and betrayal allow a particular group to be a member of the larger body of 'acceptable citizens.' [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is twofold: to determine which knowledge type (procedural or conceptual) is predominant in basic mathematics topics among preservice primary mathematics teachers and the relation between these knowledge types. The study group consisted of 97 freshmen studying at Primary Mathematics Teaching Department. Case study method was used within the scope of descriptive approach. Participants were administered the Conceptual-Procedural Knowledge Test (CPKT), developed by the researchers, which consisted of questions that measured procedural and conceptual knowledge. Participant answers were analysed by an answer key and a characterization scale, and their levels were determined according to level ranges. Then, the frequency and percentage of the data were calculated and tabularized, and charts were used to make a two-way comparison of the relationship between procedural and conceptual knowledge. The study revealed that preservice teachers' procedural knowledge was concentrated at levels 2 and 3 whereas their conceptual knowledge at levels 1 and 2. Another result of the study is that while conceptual learning may support procedural learning the contrary is not necessarily true. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STEM and computer science (CS) education are some of the most important research topics of the last decade. The idea that CS should be a part of STEM is becoming more and more common. The most important goals of integrating CS into STEM are to develop students' computational thinking (CT) and problem-solving skills. STEM education creates a natural context for integrating CT into learning and teaching processes. However, applied studies are needed since the subject is new and open to development. In this study, we designed an interdisciplinary unplugged programming activity to integrate CT into STEM activities which we then implemented in a professional development course (PD) with the participation of STEM teachers. To evaluate the effectiveness, an open-ended questionnaire was given to the teachers and the results were analyzed. Accordingly, the teachers stated that the activity was exemplary in applying the interdisciplinary approach and enabling the perspectives of different disciplines to be seen by other subject-area teachers. Also, using unplugged programming activities in teacher education provides an important example. Teachers who want to conduct unplugged programming activities in their classrooms, learn how to integrate CT into STEM, are interested in the practice to support their students' research skills, and aim to support students' 21st-century skills can also use this activity. The interdisciplinary structure of the activity and its example of integrating CT into STEM will guide practitioners and researchers in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learning from digital media is one of the notable learning environments used outside of school. The effect of using digital technology in education is well known today, as where such tools are used appropriately in lessons, they can make an effective contribution to the teaching and learning of abstract science subjects such as astronomy. The purpose of this study was to design an astronomy activity for elementary level students. We worked with 30 preservice primary school teachers (PPSTs). The activity was based on the fifth-grade elementary level topic of "Space systems: Stars and the Solar system." The materials used were digital media tools and worksheets prepared in accordance with curriculum standards, and were applied sequentially. At the end of the activity, a feedback paper was applied to enable the PPSTs to identify their thoughts about the activity. The PPSTs noted that learning open digital media tools for the purpose of astronomy education was seen as a contribution of the activity. They also expressed that the activity could help fifth-grade students to learn astronomy concepts more easily and tangibly. It is hoped that the activity may be applied in both formal and informal learning environments for elementary level students' astronomy learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to develop and test the effectiveness of a training programme to foster teachers' competencies in the provision of career development learning (CDL) programmes for children. Forty-eight middle school teachers working with socioeconomically disadvantaged students in Eastern Turkey participated in the study. The Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test indicated the positive effects of the training on the teachers' efficacy in providing career education but no significant effect on the teachers' communication skills. The qualitative results addressed the improvements made in teachers' professional and personal development, and perceived self-efficacy in providing career programmes. The results revealed the need for upskilling of teachers to improve their facilitation of CDL for students and to support their own professional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyse preservice elementary mathematics teachers' concept definitions of circle, circular region, and sphere concepts in geometrical terms. The research was conducted during the 2016–2017 academic year with 56 preservice mathematics teachers enrolled within a teacher education programme at a state university in Turkey. A test consisting of three open-ended questions regarding circle, circular region, and sphere was used as the study's data collection tool. The preservice teachers' test answers were investigated according to correctness and generalization criteria. Answers regarding each concept were compared with those of the two other concepts. Following the data analysis, semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine of the participant preservice teachers. The findings of the research revealed that the preservice teachers mostly experienced difficulty in defining the sphere. In addition, it was determined that most preservice teachers provided either insufficiently detailed or incorrect answers for the concepts of circle, circular region, and sphere. When the examples of the concepts were examined, it was determined that only a few of the preservice teachers gave appropriate examples of the related concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores current literacy education in state primary schools of Northern Cyprus from the perspective of primary school teachers. The Northern Cyprus context is unique in that it has recently been receiving a considerable number of immigrants and state primary schools now include students from various backgrounds. This then raises the need for exploration of the issue of how literacy is taught to these culturally and socially diverse students. Data were collected from 20 classroom teachers teaching at 10 different schools in five districts. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data. The findings of the study suggest that the recently developed curriculum for primary state schools is not successfully implemented in practice, and that teachers still tend to possess traditional teaching practices, which do not allow student voice or critical pedagogy, as well as integration of students' home lives into the lessons, but are exam focused. A possible reason for this seems to be teachers' lack of awareness of the philosophy of the new curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of drug use and related factors in university students. Methods: This study was carried out in Mersin, Turkey. Data forms were filled in by 1767 students. 905 (52.3%) of the 1767 participants were male. Their median age was 21.0, and 120 (6.8%) of the participants were found to have used drugs at least once in a life time; 77 (4.4%of them once in the last year. The coefficients of the increase rates for having used drugs at least once in a lifetime can be listed as follows: Presence of friends in the social environment who use drugs, 10.55 times (p <.001); being an active smoker, 4.78 times (p <.001); active alcohol consumption, 13.36 times (p <.001). The following variables appear to be the coefficients of increase rates for using drugs at least once in the previous year: having somebody who uses drugs around, 12.71 times (p <.001); being an active alcohol consumer, 10.38 times (p <.001) and parental separation, 2.64 times (p <.01). In this study it was determined that cigarette/alcohol use and the effects of social environment are the most important factors in drug use in university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to develop, introduce, and conduct an activity for the integration of augmented reality to the jigsaw IV technique in a planned and systematic manner. The activity developed for secondary school students is related to the "Pure Substances" subject which it is included in the "Particulate structure of matter" topic. The activity was arranged as; an attractive introduction, expert group studies, home team studies and assessment stages. Whereas augmented reality was used during the "home team study" stage for the jigsaw IV technique. Students are given the opportunity to examine a lot of resources during the "expert group study" and "home team study" stages to encourage them to be educated as science literate individuals. Whereas the students are subject to individual examinations during the assessment stage. This activity is an example for increasing the usage area of augmented reality in the education environment. Moreover, it is also considered that the activity will provide benefits in ensuring meaningful learning by embodying abstract concepts and helping students in improving 21st-century skills (e.g., cooperative study skills, learning to learn, communication, entrepreneurship, adaptation, leadership, social skills, and responsibility, etc.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) using GeoGebra software on 11th grade students' achievement in exponential and logarithmic functions. This study was carried out with quasi-experimental design consisting of a pre-test and a post-test with the experimental group and the control group. The study was conducted with 35 11th grade students (18 for the experimental group, 17 for the control group) in Istanbul, Turkey. The experimental group was taught through CSCL activities using GeoGebra software, while the control group was taught through textbook-based direct instruction. Data were collected via the mathematics achievement test (MAT) developed by researchers and consisted of 20 multiple-choice items. MAT was administered to both groups as a pre-test and a post-test. Data were analysed with SPSS-17.0 package program using t-test and ANCOVA. Results revealed that CSCL using GeoGebra software had significant effects on students' achievement in exponential and logarithmic functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to reveal 5th class middle school students' determination skills on the truth value of mathematical propositions about multiplication and division. These skills were evaluated in the context of operation meanings preferred and arguments constructed by the students in the process. The research group consisted of 95 fifth-grade students studying at a state middle school in Turkey. The study an example of sequential explanatory from mixed research designs. The data of the study were collected in three stages. In the first and the second stage, quantitative data of the study were gathered with Awareness Questionnaire (AQ) and Proposition Evaluation Test (PET) developed by the researchers. In the third stage, semi-structured task-based interviews were conducted. As a result of the study, it was revealed that students had more difficulty in selecting false mathematical propositions. Most of the students used counterexample and deductive warrants for the falsity of the propositions, and inductive warrants for the truth of the propositions. These results showed that determining the false propositions was an important ability and students preferring operational meanings had disadvantages in this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]