Effect of Guide Materials Developed in "Adaptation and Natural Selection" Subject on Remedying Grade 8 Students Alternative Conceptions

Bakirci H., Calik M.

EGITIM VE BILIM-EDUCATION AND SCIENCE, vol.38, no.168, pp.215-229, 2013 (SSCI, Scopus, TRDizin)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 38 Issue: 168
  • Publication Date: 2013
  • Journal Name: EGITIM VE BILIM-EDUCATION AND SCIENCE
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.215-229
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine effect of guide materials developed in 'adaptation and natural selection' subject on grade 8 students' alternative conceptions. This study was conducted with 31 grade 8 students in spring semester of 2009-2010. In this context, to define the students' conceptual problems cited in related literature, an extensive literature review was initially carried out. Adaptation and Natural Selection Concept Test was employed as a pre-test one week before the teaching intervention while the same test was immediately re-administered as a post-test after the teaching intervention. Moreover, to investigate its influence on their long-term memory, the same test was administered as a retention test two months after the post-test. Pre, post and retention test results were exposed to descriptive statistics and post-hoc tests using SPSS 15.00 (TM). The results showed that the guide materials of the "adaptation and natural selection" subject were not only efficient in enabling the grade 8 students to achieve conceptual change but also substantially eliminating their alternative conceptions. Some recommendations were made in light of the results of the study.

The purpose of this study is to examine effect of guide materials developed in 'adaptation and natural selection' subject on grade 8 students' alternative conceptions. This study was conducted with 31 grade 8 students in spring semester of 2009-2010. In this context, to define the students' conceptual problems cited in related literature, an extensive literature review was initially carried out. Adaptation and Natural Selection Concept Test was employed as a pre-test one week before the teaching intervention while the same test was immediately re-administered as a post-test after the teaching intervention. Moreover, to investigate its influence on their long-term memory, the same test was administered as a retention test two months after the post-test. Pre, post and retention test results were exposed to descriptive statistics and post-hoc tests using SPSS 15.00 (TM). The results showed that the guide materials of the "adaptation and natural selection" subject were not only efficient in enabling the grade 8 students to achieve conceptual change but also substantially eliminating their alternative conceptions. Some recommendations were made in light of the results of the study.