Probleme dayalı öğrenme yaklaşımının termodinamiğin birinci kanununu anlamaya etkisi

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of problem based learning approach on understanding the first law of thermodynamics. For this purpose, the effectiveness of problem based learning on students? academic achievement and on their skills, the contributions to constructivist learning environment and the practicability on science teaching were investigated. One-group pretest-posttest experimental design was used. Findings of the study obtained by using triangulation design that is a mixed-method research methodology included both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The sample of the study was consisted of 48 third year students taking ?Heat and Matter? course from the Department of Primary Science Education, Kâzım Karabekir Educational Faculty, Atatürk University. Treatment of the study was carried out in the second semester of 2006/2007 academic year for 8 weeks. The data was obtained with instruments which include ?Academic Achievement Test?, ?Scientific Process Skills Test? and ?Constructivist Learning Environment Survey?. Also, interviews, observations, document examinations and scales developed for them were used. For the quantitative data analysis, descriptive statistics such as percentage and frequencies, and inferential statistics such as ?paired samples t-test? was used. Qualitative data was analyzed by descriptive analyses method and was presented by tables and in categories. The results of this study showed that problem based learning increased students levels in academic achievement, scientific process skills, working skills cooperatively and in groups, using skills of information resources, problem solving skills, self-directed learning skills, presentation skills and reporting skills. In addition, the results indicated that problem based learning contributed in constructivist learning environment, increased retention of knowledge and provided high motivation and positive attitude towards course. This study also showed that problem based learning has disadvantages such as time limitation, be unaccustomed to the method, build of groups and inadequate cooperation, assessment problem, getting inadequate knowledge and communication problems in the students. 2007, 182 pages Keywords: Problem based learning, The First Law of Thermodynamics, The Law of Energy Conservation, PBL.