The main purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness of 5E learning cycle model based instruction and traditionally designed chemistry instruction on 10th grade students&rsquo / understanding of state of matter and solubility concepts and attitudes towards chemistry as a school subject / and students&rsquo / perceived motivation and perceived use of learning strategies. In this study, 119 tenth grade students from chemistry courses instructed by same teacher from Atat&uuml / rk Anatolian High School took part. The study was conducted during 2007-2008 spring semester. This study included two groups which were randomly assigned as experimental and control groups. Control group students were taught by traditionally designed chemistry instruction, while the experimental group students were instructed by 5E learning cycle model based instruction. In the experimental group, students were taught with respect to the sequence of 5E learning cycle model which are engagement, exploration, explanation, elaboration, and evaluation through the use of activities such as demonstrations, video animations, laboratory ectivities, and discussions. In the control group, traditionally designed chemistry instruction was implemented through teacher explanations and use of textbook. State of Matter and Solubility Concepts Test (SMSCT), Attitude Scale toward Chemistry (ASTC), and Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) were administered to both groups as a pre-test and post-test to assess the students understanding of state of matter and solubility concepts, students&rsquo / attitudes toward chemistry, students&rsquo / perceived motivations and students perceived use of learning strategies, respectively. Science Process Skills Test was given at the beginning of the study to determine students&rsquo / science process skills. The hypotheses were tested by using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVAs). The results showed that instruction based on 5E learning cycle model caused significantly better acquisition of the scientific conceptions related to state of matter and solubility concepts than traditionally designed chemistry instruction. In addition, instruction based on 5E learning cycle model improved students&rsquo / attitudes as a school subject, intrinsic goal orientation, extrinsic goal orientation, task value, elaboration strategy use, organization strategy use. A Science process skill was determined as a strong predictor in understanding the concepts related state of matter and solubility.

The main purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness of conceptual change oriented instruction accompanied with computer animations and traditionally designed chemistry instruction on 10th grade students&rsquo / understanding, achievement and retention of gases concepts and attitudes towards chemistry as a school subject. Also students&rsquo / views about nature of science were investigated. Quasi experimental design was used in this study. 67 tenth grade students from two intact classes of a chemistry course taught by the same teacher in Sokullu High School were enrolled. The hypotheses were tested by using analyses of covariance and two- way analyses of variance. The results indicated that instruction based on conceptual change approach caused significantly better acquisition of the scientific conceptions, achievement and retention related to gases concepts than traditionally designed chemistry instruction. Science process skill was determined as a strong predictor in the concepts related to gases. Moreover instruction based on conceptual change approach improved students&rsquo / attitudes as a school subject. However no significant effect of gender difference on students&rsquo / understanding, achievement and attitudes toward chemistry as a school subject was found. Finally experimental group students&rsquo / views about some characteristics of nature of science were determined as more realistic than control group students.

ABSTRACT EFFECTS OF 7E LEARNING CYCLE MODEL ACCOMPANIED WITH COMPUTER ANIMATIONS ON UNDERSTANDING OF DIFFUSION AND OSMOSIS CONCEPTS B&uuml / lb&uuml / l, Yeter Ph. D., Department of Secondary Science and Mathematics Education Supervisor: Prof. Dr. &Ouml / mer Geban August 2010, 232 pages The main purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness of the instruction based on 7E learning cycle model accompanied with computer animations and traditionally designed biology instruction on 9th grade students&rsquo / understanding and achievement related to diffusion and osmosis concepts and their attitudes toward biology as a school subject. Quasi experimental design was used in this study. A total number of 66 ninth grade students from four intact classes of a biology course taught by the same biology teacher in a private high school in Istanbul were enrolled. The study was conducted during spring semester of 2008-2009 academic year. This study included two experimental and two control groups. Experimental and control groups were randomly assigned. The students in the control group were instructed with traditionally designed biology instruction, while the students in the experimental group were instructed with 7E learning cycle model based instruction accompanied with computer animations. In the experimental group, students were taught with respect to the sequence of 7E learning cycle model which are elicit, engage, explore, explain, elaborate, evaluate, and extend through the use of activities such as demonstration, computer animations, laboratory activities, and discussions. In the control group, traditionally designed biology instruction was implemented through the teacher explanation, demonstrations, and use of textbook. Diffusion and Osmosis Diagnostic Test (DODT), Diffusion and Osmosis Achievement Test (DOACH), Attitude Scale Toward Biology (ASTB) were administered to both groups as a pre-test and post-test to assess students&rsquo / understanding and achievement of diffusion and osmosis concepts, and students&rsquo / attitudes toward biology respectively. Science Process Skill Test (SPST) was given at the beginning of the study to determine students&rsquo / science process skills. Moreover classroom observations were conducted. The hypotheses were tested by using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results indicated that instruction based on 7E learning cycle model accompanied with computer animations caused significantly better acquisition of the scientific conceptions related to diffusion and osmosis concepts than traditionally designed biology instruction. Science process skill was determined as a strong predictor in the concepts related to diffusion and osmosis. Moreover instruction based on 7E learning cycle model accompanied with computer animations was more effective for improvement of students&rsquo / attitudes as a school subject. However no significant effect of gender difference on students&rsquo / understanding, achievement, and attitudes toward biology as a school subject was found.

<p>The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of a back education programme on biomechanical knowledge, back beliefs, the occurrence of LBP, disability, and work loss among employees at an industrial setting in Cape Town, South Africa. Furthermore, the study sought to determine the perceptions of back education that are held by industrial<br /> employees.</p>

Sammanfattning De flesta barn fängslas och visar intresse för temat rymden och finner vanligtvis att det är ett mycket intressant ämne. Fokusgruppen har varit elever i årskurs 4-6 och efter några större bortfall var det slutligen elever ifrån 8 klasser som deltog, totalt 94 elever. Eleverna fick svara på en enkät där eleverna i både text och bild bland annat fick förklara hur de trodde att objekten i sol–jord–månsystemet samverkade och rörde sig i förhållande till varandra, vad de placerade i centrum för detta system, hur de såg på orsaken till årstider samt varför vi har dag och natt. De två pedagogerna som undervisade klasserna fick svara på några frågor om hur de såg på undervisningen om astronomi, om den undervisningsmetod de använde sig av och på elevernas lärande och förståelse för ämnet astronomi.    I denna undersökning kunde samma typer av missuppfattningar ses hos dessa elever, som de missuppfattningar som har dykt upp i en rad olika undersökningar som genomförts tidigare år med andra barn ifrån olika länder. Några av de missuppfattningar som fanns hos eleverna i denna undersökning var bland annat att jorden var mittpunkten, något som en femtedel av eleverna visade. Att sol och måne låg i samma omloppsbana runt jorden, årstiderna orsakas av att avståndet till solen förändras och att dag/natt beror på jordens omloppsbana runt solen var några andra missuppfattningar som rådde bland eleverna. Användandet av konkret material och 3D-modeller i undervisningen om rymden tycks vara en viktig del för elevernas förståelse av området.   Nyckelord: undervisning om rymden – astronomiska missförstånd – årstider – dag/natt – omloppsbanor i sol–jord–månsystemet / Abstract Most children find astronomy an interesting subject and usually show an interest during lessons about the subject. The focus group in this paper is Swedish students in school year 4-6. In total there were 94 students from eight classes who answered the survey with simple drawings and explanations about for example how they thought the objects Sun–Earth–Moon orbit each other, which object they placed as the center in this system, what causes season and the reason behind day and night. Two teachers whom educate the students answered some questions about their teaching method, their thoughts about the subject in question and the students learning and understanding of astronomy.   In the study that are presented in this paper the same types of astronomical misconceptions can be seen amongst these students, that has been shown in similar studies of children all over the world. 20 % of the children in this study showed an earth centered Sun–Earth–Moon system. Other misconceptions that were shown was: the sun and the moon shares the same orbit around the earth, that the seasons are caused by the distance to the sun changing and that day and night happens because the earth orbits the sun. The use of concrete material and 3D-models in the education seemed to be important for the students understanding of the subject.   Keywords: Astronomy education – astronomy misconceptions – seasons – day/night – Celestial Motion in the Sun–Earth–Moon system

The main purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness of the conceptual change oriented instruction through demonstration and traditionally designed chemistry instruction on 10th grade students&rsquo / understanding of chemical reactions and energy concepts and attitudes towards chemistry as a school subject. In this study, 61 tenth grade students from two classes of chemistry course instructed by same teacher from Atat&uuml / rk Anatolian High School took part. The study was conducted during 2003-2004 fall semester. This study included two groups which were selected randomly throughout 9 classes. One of the group was defined as control group in which students were taught by traditionally designed chemistry instruction, while the other group defined as experimental group in which students were instructed by conceptual change oriented instruction through demonstrations (CCID). Chemical Reactions and Energy Concepts Test and Attitude Scale toward Chemistry were administered to both groups as a pre-test and post-test to assess the students understanding of chemical reactions and energy concepts and students&rsquo / attitudes toward chemistry, respectively. Science Process Skills Test was given at the beginning of the study to determine students&rsquo / science process skills. The hypotheses were tested by using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that CCID caused significantly better acquisition of the scientific conceptions related to chemical reactions and energy concepts than TDCI. The results showed that there was a significant difference between post-test mean scores of students taught with CCID and those taught with TDCI with respect to their attitude toward chemistry as a school subject. A Science process skill was determined as a strong predictor in understanding the concepts related chemical reactions and energy.

ABSTRACT EFFECTIVENESS OF CONCEPTUAL CHANGE INSTRUCTION ACCOMPANIED WITH DEMONSTRATIONS AND COMPUTER ASSISTED CONCEPT MAPPING ON STUDENTS&rsquo / UNDERSTANDING OF MATTER CONCEPTS Yavuz, Ayse PhD., Department of Secondary Science and Mathematics Education Supervisor: Prof. Dr. &Ouml / mer Geban January 2005, 133 pages The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of conceptual change instruction accompanied with demonstration and computer assisted concept mapping on seventh grade students understanding matter concepts. In addition, the effect of instruction on students&rsquo / attitudes toward science as a school subject and the effect of gender difference on understanding matter concepts were investigated. Seventy five, seventh grade students from four classes of a General Science Course taught by the same teacher at &Ouml / zel ENKA Middle School during fall semester of 2003&ndash / 2004 was enrolled in this study. The classes were randomly assigned as conrol group and experimental group. Students in the control group received traditional science instruction including traditional lecture method with discussions and traditionally designed labsheets. Students who were in the experimental group received conceptual change instruction accompanied with demonstration and computer assisted concept mapping. Both groups were administered Matter Concept Test as pre- and post-tests and Attitude Scale toward Science as a School Subject. In addition to these, Science Process Skill Test was used at the beginning of the study to determine students&rsquo / science process skills. T-test, univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used for testing the hypotheses of the study. The results indicated that conceptual change instruction accompanied with demonstration and computer assisted concept mapping caused a better acquisition of scientific conceptions related to matter concepts and produced more positive attitudes toward science as a school subject than traditionally designed sicence instruction. In addition, science process skill was a strong predictor in understanding matter concepts. On the other hand, no significant effect of gender difference on students&rsquo / understanding of matter concepts and their attitudes toward science as a school subject was found.

The main purpose of this study was to develop a three-tier test for assessing ninth-grade students&rsquo / misconceptions about simple electric circuits. The first tier of an item on the test presents an ordinary multiple choice question, the second tier presents a set of reasons for the response given to the first tier, and the third tier questions if examinees are confident for their responses to the first two tiers. The study was carried in Polatli, the biggest outlying district of capital Ankara. In the light of the related literature, interviews were conducted by the researcher so as to collect information about students&rsquo / understanding of simple electric circuits. Thereby, a list of misconceptions was acquired and it was used for developing an open-ended questionnaire. Next, the questionnaire was examined by two physics teachers and an instructor from METU for establishing content validity. The questionnaire was administered to 99 ninth-grade students and their responses were categorized in the purpose of determining the distracters of the three-tier test / the Simple Electric Circuit Diagnostic Test (SECDT). At last, the SECDT was developed and administered to 124 ninth-grade students. The validity of the SECDT was established by means of quantitative methods in addition to the qualitative methods. A positive correlation coefficient was estimated between student scores and confidence levels, that is, successful students on the SECDT were more confident for their responses than unsuccessful students. This result means that the SECDT works properly, for example, students generally understood the items and found their reasoning among the distracters. Also, what items measure was investigated by means of factor analysis, and three reasonable factors were obtained. Furthermore, proportions of false positives and negatives were estimated and found as 17.47 % and 10.82 %, respectively. As well as, Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of student scores was estimated as 0.69, but the reliability coefficient of student misconception scores was estimated as 0.33. Consequently, the SECDT scores are valid and reliable measure of students&rsquo / qualitative understanding of simple electric circuits / however, misconception scores may not be reliable.

In this investigation an attempt was made to determine the misconceptions that engineering students have of the idea of a limit. A comprehensive literature study showed that there are a number of common misconceptions that students normally form. The empirical investigation was done in two phases. A questionnaire on the idea of a limit was given to the students during the first phase. During the second phase six interviews were conducted. The findings were grouped according to the nature of a limit and students' views on the relationship between the continuity of a function at a point and the limit at that point. An analysis of these findings led to the identification of the misconceptions that these students have of the idea of a limit. / In hierdie ondersoek is gepoog om die wanbegrippe wat ingenieursstudente van die limietbegrip vorm, bloot te stel. 'n Omvattende literatuurstudie het 'n aantal algemene wanbegrippe aan die lig gebring. Die empiriese ondersoek het in twee fases plaasgevind. Tydens die eerste fase is 'n vraelys aan die studente gegee in 'n poging om meer te wete te kom van hulle begrip van 'n limiet. Die vraelys is opgevolg deur ses onderhoude. Die responsies is gegroepeer in terme van die aard van 'n limiet en studente se sienings van die kontinuiteit van 'n funksie by 'n punt en die limiet by daardie punt. Die analisering van hierdie responsies het die identifisering van 'n aantal wanbegrippe by hierdie groep studente moontlik gemaak. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (with specialisation in Mathematics Education)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-08-31Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:47:29Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 botta_es_me_rcla.pdf: 43109398 bytes, checksum: 287c00d1e14e5484c6368c75353434c3 (MD5) / See-Sp / Este trabalho de pesquisa se refere ao ensino e à aprendizagem do conceito de função, no Ensino Fundamental e Médio, fazendo uso da Metodologia de Ensino-Aprendizagem-Avaliação de Matemática através da Resolução de Problemas e, também, fazendo uso de análise de erros e concepções errôneas. Duas questões básicas que podem resumir o propósito deste trabalho são as seguintes: (1) É possível antecipar a introdução do conceito de função para as diversas séries do Ensino Fundamental II, com o uso da metodologia acima mencionada? (2) Como o estudo dos erros cometidos pelos alunos pode ajudar no processo de ensino-aprendizagem? Procuramos respostas para essas questões ao analisarmos trabalhos de alunos das diferentes séries dos ensinos Fundamental e Médio, realizados em sala de aula, sob nossa orientação como professora-pesquisadora. As respostas a essas questões se apoiaram em pontos-chave desta pesquisa, referentes a diferentes concepções da álgebra, a princípios da aprendizagem, e a estudo de erros. A análise desses trabalhos nos leva a pensar que é possível antecipar o ensino do conceito de função para a 5a série /6° ano do Ensino Fundamental, de forma intuitiva, ao invés de, como o usual, introduzi-lo formalmente na 1ª série do Ensino Médio. Para o desenvolvimento desta pesquisa utilizamos a Metodologia de Pesquisa de Thomas A. Romberg / This research refers to the teaching and learning of the function concept in elementary school and school, making use of the Mathematics Teaching - Learning - Assessment through Problem Solving Methodology and also making use of error analysis and misconceptions. Two basic questions that can summarize the purpose of this study are: (1) Is it possible to anticipate the introduction of the concept of function for the various grades, II, using the methodology mentioned above? (2) How to study the mistakes made by students can help in the teaching-learning process? We seek answers to these questions by analyzing the works of students of different grades of elementary and high schools, conducted in the classroom, under our guidance as a teacher-researcher. The answers to these questions were supported by key points of this research, referring to different concepts of algebra, to principles of learning and study of errors. The analysis of these students works leads us to think that we can anticipate the teaching of the concept of function to the 5th grade / 6th grade of elementary school, intuitively, rather than, as usual, introduce it formally in first grade of High School. This research was developed following the Research Methodology presented by Thomas A. Romberg