Effect of Science Education Provided with Digital and in-Class Games on the Scientific Process Skills of Preschool Children

In this research the effects of educational digital games and in-class educational games on scientific process skills of 6 years old children were investigated. The research was carried out with 70 preschool children who were educated in a primary school in Turkey. In the research, quasi-experimental design was used. Within the scope of the research, there are 3 groups including 2 experimental and 1 control groups. The educational digital games with the children in the Experiment I group were performed with in-class educational games with the children in the Experiment II group. The research covered a 10-week period. In order to test the hypotheses of the research, t test for the related samples, Wilcoxon Signed Sequence test, single factor ANOVA analysis for unrelated samples, Kruskal Wallis H-Test and Man Whitney U-Test were performed. According to the analysis results of the scientific process skill test scores of the groups after the application, it was found that there was no significant difference between experiment I and experiment II.. It was determined that there was a significant difference between the experiment I and experiment II groups and the control group, and this difference was in favor of the experimental groups.

Managing A Discursive Journey for Classroom Inquiry: Examination of a Teacher’s Discursive Moves

This study presents an analysis of teacher discursive moves (TDMs) that aid students in altering their thinking and talking systems. The participants were a science who handled the immersion inquiry activities. The primary data source was the video recorded in the classroom. This video-based data was analyzed through systematic observation in two phases comprising coding and counting to reveal the mechanics of the discursive journey. Three assertions were made for the dynamics of the discursive journey. First, the teacher enacted a wide range of TDMs incorporating dialogically/monologically oriented, simplified (observe-compare-predict), and rather sophisticated moves (challenging). The challenging moves were the most featured among all analytical TDMs. Second, once higher-order categories were composed by collapsing subcategories of the displayed TDMs, the communicating-framing moves were the most prominent performed moves. Lastly, the teacher created an argumentative atmosphere in which the students had the right to evaluate and judge their classmates and teacher's utterances that modified the epistemic and social authority of the discursive journey. Finally, educational recommendations are offered in the context of teachers noticing the mechanics and dynamics of the discourse journey.

Enhancing Students’ Critical Thinking through NASA Science as Interactive Multimedia in Learning Solar System

Science and technology advancement in the 21st Century requires several life skills that everyone must learn; critical thinking is one of them. Critical thinking is often defined as a process of metacognition that increases the chances of solving a problem. This research attempted to implement NASA Science as Interactive Multimedia to enhance students' critical thinking in learning Solar System. Interactive Multimedia is student-centered, allowing students to play an active role in learning to promote students' critical thinking skills. This study used a pre-experimental method with one group pretest-posttest design. The sampling used was convenience sampling, which participated in 42 7th grade students of a private school in Bandung. The Objective Test was used as a research instrument for both pretest and posttest. These test items were designed according to Facione's indicators of Critical Thinking Skills. Based on the analysis result, the value of g is 0.48. According to the Wilcoxon test, the hypothesis in this research is accepted. The value of Asymp. sig. (2-tailed) is 0.00, with a sig. α = 0.05. Thus, this research shows that: There is an enhancement of students' critical thinking after using NASA Science in learning Solar System.

Augmented Reality Application-Based Teaching Material's Effect on Viscera Learning Through Algorithmic Thinking

The study aimed to examine AR-based teaching material's effect on viscera learning through algorithmic thinking by the primary school teacher candidates who are sophomores in the classroom teaching department in the spring term of the 2018-2019 academic year at a state university in the Eastern Black Sea and selected by convenience method. Viscera Information Form (VIF) and Application Process and AR Survey Form (APSF) were used as data collection tools in the study. VIF included subjects viscera in a human model and placed them in the skeletal structure. The other form, APSF, is about the application process and the material prepared with augmented reality. While the data obtained from VIF were analyzed under the researcher-defined categories regarding the participants' showing each viscera in a human torso model and placing them in the skeletal structure, the data obtained from APSF was processed with content analysis. The study results revealed that AR-based teaching material makes a positive contribution to the learning of viscera through algorithmic thinking. In addition, this is determined as AR-based teaching material contributes to understanding the related basic concepts through algorithmic thinking.

Text Readability Level Investigation about Biology Subjects-related Units in 'Science 7 Textbook'

This study investigates text readability level investigation about biology subjects-related units in 'Science 7 Textbook'. A document analysis method was used in this study based on a qualitative research approach. The textbook, which has been used since the 2019-2020 academic year, has been selected as the study material. In the textbook, a total of 15 texts were randomly determined from two units related to biology subjects, one for each of the learning outcomes specified in the 2018 Science Course Curriculum. In calculating the readability levels of the texts, the 'Ateşman Readability Formula' was used. The findings obtained as a result of the analysis showed that the overall readability levels of the texts in both units were in the 'medium difficulty' category. Furthermore, when the findings of each unit were examined on a subject basis, it was determined that the texts belonging to all of the topics included in both units (Cell and Divisions, Reproduction, Growth and Development in Living Beings) were found in the 'medium' category. These findings were interpreted as the science textbook prepared for the seventh grade for the student level in terms of readability.

The Effect of the Augmented Reality Applications in Science Class on Students’ 21st Century Skills and Basic Skills

This study investigates augmented reality (AR) applications on 21st-century skills and basic skills of elementary school students. The research method is determined as a mixed method. The sample group of the research consisted of 62 randomly selected elementary school 4th-grade students. In the experimental group, courses were taught using AR, and in the control group, the lessons were taught with activities included in the science class. In the research, the 21st-century learning and innovation scale and basic skills scale was used as a quantitative data collection tool, and semi-structured interview and researcher's journal were used as a qualitative data collection tool. According to the results, the study of science using augmented reality applications has positively affected the skills of elementary school 4th-grade students. The qualitative results of the research concluded that students' creativity and innovation, critical thinking, making inferences, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills developed. During the interviews with students and the classroom teacher, they stated that the AR application makes information more permanent by embodying the information in their minds. The lessons are fun and exciting; their interest in technology is increased and should be used in other lessons.

The Effect of Nature Education Activities on Biophilia Levels of Science Teacher Candidates

As a result of increasing the level of interest in living and living systems (biophilia), it will be possible to educate more protectionist individuals against nature and the environment. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of nature education activities on biophilia levels of science teacher candidates. This research was conducted at public research university in Bayburt, Turkey, in the Department of Science Education during the spring semester of the 2017-2018 academic year. The activities were done in an integrated manner to the Environmental Science course. The study group included a total of 62 science teacher candidates. These students were distributed equally to the experiment and control group. The study was used a quasi-experimental method with a group of experiments and control. In the study, the Biophilia Scale was applied as a data collection tool. Independent samples t-tests and dependent samples t-tests were used for analyzing the data. As a result of the analysis, the findings indicated that nature education and in-class activities positively affected teacher candidates' biophilia levels. The findings also indicated that the knowledge and experience they gained due to students' scrutiny, touching, smelling, and even tasting the species at in-class and nature activities affected their biophilia levels.

Opinions of Secondary School Students on the Use of Mobile Augmented Reality Technology in Science Teaching

Mobile augmented reality (MAR) draws attention in terms of providing a flexible learning process and environment. It is thought that learning environments can be more effective using MAR technology. The research aimed to determine the secondary school students' views on the use of MAR technology in science teaching. The research was conducted with 143 students studying in the sixth grade at two different secondary schools in Turkey. In the research, convergent parallel patterns from mixed-method patterns were used. For eight weeks, the research was carried out to cover the systems unit in our body, situated in the 6th-grade science course curriculum. During the process, the Anatomy 4D application was used in the experimental group during the procedure, and the science course curriculum was used in the control group. In this paper, a part of the mixed research, the qualitative data collected from the experimental group's semi-structured interview form and diaries were analyzed. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the data. As a result of the research, although the students do not have a clear idea about AR and MAR technologies at the beginning of the application, it is observed that their thoughts change over time, and MAR applications are effective on the success of the course.

Adapted Primary Literature in Authentic Science: Students’ Perception

Science textbooks only present scientific facts that cause the textbooks to seem not to promote scientific reasoning. Science learning also becomes not in line with the nature of Science. Then, Science learning requires applying authentic Science as an approach. Adapted Primary Literature (APL) is assumed to be able to achieve this objective. Therefore, this study aims to examine how APL is a source of Science learning in actualizing authentic Science. This research using a quasi-experimental method, 81 students from two 7th grade groups were involved as participants. One group analyzed APL using a jigsaw, another using a Numbered Heads Together (NHT). A perception questionnaire of APL was given. Quantitative analysis was only performed on data from 44 students due to other students’ participation that is lacked by a pandemic. The result showed both classes possess a high perception of APL. A mean difference test also showed that there were no differences in perception between the two classes. These indicated that analyzing APL was perceived as an authentic Science. Science teachers can utilize APL as an alternative way to actualize authentic Science with a relatively more straightforward model, strategy, and method than commonly applied.

The Effect of Research Evidence-Based Teaching Practices in Science Classrooms on Student Teachers' Attitudes towards Educational Research

Research in the field of education plays a pivotal role in developing evidence-based practices in teaching and improving the quality of education. However, research conducted in recent years has highlighted the unwillingness of teachers to benefit from scientific studies. This study set out to assess whether Research Evidence-Based Practices in Science Teaching (EBPST) influences the teaching practices of student teachers and their attitudes towards education research. Mixed methods research design was used in this study. The study was conducted through Quasi-experimental methods and focus group interviews. The data were collected with the "Teachers Attitude Scale towards Educational Research (TASTER)" and focus group interviews. Participants of the study included 106 third-year undergraduate student teachers. The experimental group applied EBPST during their teaching, while the control group applied existing traditional teaching at primary schools. The Quantitative findings showed that student teachers in the experimental group had significantly increased positive attitudes towards educational research when compared with student teachers in the control group. In addition, qualitative findings revealed that several factors negatively and positively influence the understanding and use of educational research for student teachers on the applicability of EBPST. Considering the results of this study, student teachers' EBPST effect on improving their attitudes, understanding, and the use of educational research in teaching.