Journal of STEM Teacher Institutes

An Investigation into the Impact of the Flipped Classroom Model in Science Education on Student Academic Performance and Attitudes

Sabri Yurtlu — 2024-10-31

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a flipped classroom model (FCM) in science education on student achievement as well as to explore student opinions, interests, and attitudes toward this instructional approach. The study cohort comprised 41 second-grade students from Muş Alparslan University, Faculty of Education, Department of Mathematics and Science Education, specializing in Science during the 2017-2018 academic session. The experimental group consisted of 20 students, while the control group comprised 21 students. Data collection and analysis followed a mixed-methods approach encompassing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The analysis of the collected data involved the use of Independent Samples T-Test (pre-test post-test quasi-experimental design) to determine whether there was a significant difference in the achievement scores between groups. Additionally, due to the sample size being less than 50, the Shapiro-Wilks test was employed to confirm the homogeneity of variances in the quantitative data. The results of the final assessment indicated that the p-value for both the control and experimental groups was less than a = 0.05, emonstrating a significant difference between the groups. Upon analyzing the results, it was found that there was a substantial increase in the experimental group's pre-test mean score (X_pe = 7.05, X_le = 22.20) compared to their post-test arithmetic mean score, whereas the control group's pre-test mean (X_pc= 7.61, X_lc = 16.19) showed a lower increase in their post-test arithmetic mean score. The qualitative data analysis employed a descriptive analysis approach utilizing semi-structured interview forms. The research findings revealed a statistically significant difference in academic achievement test scores between the experimental and control groups, with the experimental group demonstrating notably higher scores. Furthermore, the semi-structured interview forms unequivocally indicated a positive trend in students' opinions, interests, and attitudes toward the implemented instructional model.

An Examination of Natural Environment Experiences of Mothers of Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Ezgi Emine OLAŞ — 2024-10-31

Outdoor activities support children's active participation and contribute to their experiential learning. Furthermore, they engage all senses of the children. Outdoor activities are considered a necessity for children, particularly those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Limited eye contact, avoidance of physical contact, and difficulties in adhering to social norms often limit their participation in outdoor activities. However, this situation increases the need for outdoor activities among children with ASD and their primary caregivers, especially mothers. Therefore, this study aims to examine the opinions of mothers of children diagnosed with ASD regarding outdoor activities. A phenomenological approach, a qualitative research method, was employed in this study. The study group consisted of 13 mothers with children diagnosed with ASD, enrolled in a special education preschool in Adapazarı district of Sakarya province during the 2022-2023 academic year. Purposive sampling method was used to select the study group. Data were collected through a "Personal Information Form" and a "Semi-Structured Parent Interview Form" prepared by the researchers and validated by experts. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. According to the analysis, mothers with higher education levels expressed the importance of dressing their children appropriately for outdoor activities in all weather conditions, while mothers with lower education levels expressed concerns about taking their children outdoors in bad weather due to health reasons. Additionally, they mentioned that shopping malls and parks were more effective outdoor environments for children to socialize, as these places were more crowded and conducive to socialization. Mothers with higher education levels did not see any problem in taking their children outside even when it was snowing. Families emphasized the significant effects of outdoor activities on children's social development, especially in school settings. Based on the data obtained from the study, it is recommended that the study could be conducted with a different sample group, and data collection tools could be diversified.

A Systematic Review on The Pedagogical Use of QR Codes

Pelin SAĞIT — 2024-10-31

Technological advancements have facilitated the widespread use of mobile applications across various domains. QR codes are mobile applications that have gained extensive usage in recent years, particularly experiencing a surge since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. QR codes are characterized by their high storage capacity and easy readability. QR codes are also used in the field of education. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a systematic review on the pedagogical use of QR codes. Web of Science, ERIC, Scopus, TR Index, YÖK National Thesis Center, and Google Scholar databases were screened to access articles published between 2014 and 2023. The review yielded 155 articles. The sample consisted of 83 articles addressing the pedagogical use of QR codes. The articles were assessed based on distribution by databases, distribution by years, courses using QR codes, research methods and data collection tools, samples, and usage areas of QR codes. The studies were published in ERIC (28%), TR Index (19%), Web of Science (18%), YÖK National Thesis Center (15%), other indices (12%), or Scopus (8%). Most studies were published in 2022. The majority of the articles were from the field of science education. Most articles adopted quantitative research methods. The majority of the articles recruited graduate students. Most articles integrated QR codes into videos.

Development of Engineering Perception Scale

Sema Altun Yalçın — 2024-10-31

The study aimed to develop an engineering perception scale for pre-service science teachers. The data were obtained from a total of 151 pre-service science teachers attending the department of science teaching at a state university in a province in the eastern region of Turkey. It took 3 years to collect the data. Engineering education was given to pre-service science teachers for 14 weeks within the framework of the "STEM, Robotics, Coding" course. Engineering education includes machine-style activities made with simple materials, that is, with materials found in our environment, which we can even call waste. In addition, activities involving the construction of machines used in daily life using Legos were also carried out. For example; washing machine, carousel, hand dryer, car windshield wiper, etc. They created working, that is, moving machines. In engineering education, they first made drawings for the objects they would create, then determined the materials needed to realize the drawings, and then proceeded to the construction phase. While determining these activities, the objectives of the course, the development of pre-service teachers' engineering skills, making machines and objects that exist in their environment, understanding their working principles, using knowledge from other fields and gaining experience in making different designs with them were taken as the basis. First of all, 5 open-ended questions were prepared to reveal the engineering perceptions of pre-service teachers. The literature was reviewed while preparing the questions. The open-ended questions were prepared by taking the opinions of 3 faculty members specialized in science education and 2 engineering faculty members. A 5-point Likert-type scale consisting of 40 items was developed based on the answers given by the pre-service teachers to the questions. All items of the 40-item scale were examined by 2 field experts and 2 Turkish language experts and finalized. The data obtained were analyzed through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Then, the same data set was analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). As a result of the analyses; a 31-item scale consisting of 6 sub-factors was obtained.

Bibliometric Analysis and Content Evaluation: Relationship between STEM Education and Islam and Other Religions

Ali Veysel Akcan — 2024-10-31

The study examines STEM education through a bibliometric analysis of 6008 publications. Using the Web of Science database, it identifies trends and key players in the field. The findings reveal a steady increase in STEM education publications since 2011, with the United States leading in both publications and citations. Purdue University stood out as the institution with the most publications, while the University of Washington was the most cited institution. Charles Henderson stood out as the most prolific author, while Scott Freeman was the most cited author. Cbe-Life Sciences Education was the leading journal in terms of publication volume, while Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America was the most cited journal. The 10 most cited studies focus on productivity, achievement and gender ratios in STEM education, while the most recent studies focus on productivity, curriculum and improvement. In addition, studies on Islam and STEM education examine the relationship between them, while religiously-neutral studies examine the connection between STEM education and various religions.