28 (3), 2013
PREFACE
CONTENTS
INNER COVER
REFEREES/REVIEWERS
REFEREES/REVIEWERS FOR YEAR OF 2013
PUBLICATION POLICY AND RULES
The Effects of Cooperative Learning on Students’ Academic Achievement, Retention and Social Skill Levels
Betül ARISOY & Doç. Dr. Kamuran TARIM The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of Student Teams-Achievement Divisions (STAD) and Teams-Games-Tournaments (TGT) techniques of cooperative learning on students’ academic achievement, retention and social skill levels in mathematics lesson. The study which was applied on 152 students in an elementary school in Adana in 2009-2010 academic year was a semi-experimental study and lasted in eighteen weeks. There are two experiment groups and a control group in the study. There are fifty two students in the STAD group. There are fourty eight students in the TGT group. There are fifty two students in the control group.
“Mathematics Achievement Test” and “Social Skills Scale” were applied in all groups (STAD, TGT and conrol groups) as pretest at the beginning of the study and as posttest at the end of the study. After five weeks from the posttest, “Mathematics Achievement Test” was applied again as retention test. At the end of the study, “Interwiev Form” was used in experiment groups for getting students’ opinions about techniques.
Conclusively, TGT was more effective in terms of academic achievement and regarding to retention test, STAD was more effective. There was statistically significant difference in favour of STAD and TGT groups in terms of the social skill levels.
Keywords: Cooperative learning method, teams-achievement divisions technique, teams-games-tournaments technique, social skills.
[HTML]
Pronunciation and Podcasts: A Study With French Foreign Language Learners
Assist. Prof. Dr. Veda Aslım YETİŞUntil the 90s, the teaching of pronunciation in language classrooms had been disregarded. Today, although the importance of pronunciation has been recognized, teachers still have difficulties in finding appropriate teaching materials and dedicating classroom time needed for teaching pronunciation. The purpose of the study was to propose podcasts to teachers looking for ways to fill these gaps. With 15 Turkish learners of French as a foreign language, we studied the pronunciation with the podcasts for 6 weeks. According to the results obtained in pretest and posttest, learners’ pronunciation improved at the segmental and supra-segmental levels. Responses to the questionnaires and their comments showed learners’ satisfaction with this new tool that allowed them to make progress.
Keywords: pronunciation, French as a foreign language, podcast
[HTML]
The Effect of Texts about Turkish and American Cultures on Reading Comprehension Level of Primary School Students
Dr. Özlem BAŞThis research is a descriptive study, which aims at analyzing the effects of texts about Turkish and American cultures on reading comprehension level of primary school students. The experimental group was composed of 103 students. Within the scope of the study, the Reading Comprehension Scale was used to collect data and the answers given to the questions by the students were analyzed by three raters using a common scoring rubric. In the analysis of data collected within the scope of the study, one sample t-test was used in comparing the reading comprehension level on the basis of culture. An independent t-test and Mann Whitney U test were used to compare student success according to gender factor. In the light of the consequences of this research, reading comprehension level for the texts did not vary according to gender, the cultural elements and according to text type.
Keywords: reading comprehension, culture, gender, text type
[HTML]
Teachers’ ICT Usage: A Comparison of 2005 and 2011
Arş. Gör. Özlem BAYDAŞ, Yrd. Doç. Dr. Nuray GEDİK & Doç. Dr. Yüksel GÖKTAŞThis study was designed to investigate how primary education teachers in Turkey use ICT, and what changes in that usage have occurred in classroom education from 2005 to 2011. A comparative design was employed to investigate and analyze the changes between 2005 and 2011, and a survey method was used for data collection purposes. Data were collected from 1373 teachers, from 52 primary schools, in 39 provinces in 2011. Within the context of PhD thesis coordinated in 2005, 1429 teacher took place chosen with convenience sample method. The findings reveal that the most frequently used ICT tools were the computer, the projector, and the printer. The most frequently used software was word processor software, Web browsers, and presentation programs. The significant changes in the use of ICT software between 2005 and 2011 involved presentation programs, instructional games, and animation programs,. A significant increase was also found in the use of hardware, specifically “projectors” and “computers”. In conclusion, there was a slight improvement in the integration of ICT into schools by primary school teachers from 2005 to 2011.
Keywords: Information and communication technologies, Internet, hardware, software, primary school teachers.
[HTML]
The Effect of Language Learning Strategies on Learning Vocabulary in Teaching Turkish as a Foreign Language
Dr. Fatma BÖLÜKBAŞThe aim of this study is to specify the learning strategies that the students use while learning Turkish as a foreign language and the effects of these strategies on learning vocabulary. Conducted in compliance with “pretest – posttest control group model” among experimental patterns, this study involved 40 students of Turkish as a foreign language in Istanbul University Language Center, who were divided into two groups as the experimental group and the control group, each of which consisted of 20 students. While the experimental group was subjected to the use of strategies and strategy-oriented activities, traditional method of teaching was applied in the control group. The data of the research was gathered with “Language Learning Strategies Inventory”, which was developed by Oxford (1990) and adapted into Turkish by Demirel (2009), and “Vocabulary Success Test”, which was developed by the researcher of this study, was evaluated in SPSS software. As a result of this study, it is found that while learning Turkish the students use language learning strategies in medium level, they use metacognitive strategies the most and they apply to the affective strategies the least and there is a meaningful correlation between the students level of strategy use and achievement in vocabulary knowledge.
Keywords: language learning strategies, teaching Turkish as a foreign language, teaching vocabulary.
[HTML]
The Evaluation of High School Geometry Curriculum in terms of Teachers’ Opinions
Yrd. Doç. Dr. Meral CANSIZ AKTAŞThis study aims to find out what teachers in Turkey think about the High School Geometry Curriculum (HSGC) and it investigates the problems encountered while the program was being applied. For this research, qualitative phenomenological research was conducted. The sample of this study consists of 9 mathematics teachers who currently work at high schools in Ordu, Turkey. Data for the research was obtained with in-depth interviews and have been analyzed via qualitative data analysis software NVivo 9. Results show that the opinions of teachers can be classified as follows: “the effectiveness of HSGC”, “flaws of HSGC” and “the faith in the success of HSGC”. This paper includes precautions inspired by the results and suggestions for further studies.
Keywords: high school geometry curriculum, teacher views’, phenomology
[HTML]
Undergraduates’ Conceptions About Balancing Chemical Equations, and Chemical Reaction Classification
Yrd. Doç. Dr. Hulusi ÇOKADARThe aim of this study is to examine the undergraduate students’ perceptions about completion and classification of chemical reactions. This study has been conducted in a science education department with the participation of first–year students (n=99) in Turkey during 2009–2010 schooling year. Data were collected by an instrument consisting of ten open-ended questions. Participants were asked to classify chemical reactions in the first section. In the second section, they were asked to complete the chemical reactions by means of writing the formulas and the physical states of products. Lastly, they were asked to classify them. Data were analyzed by qualitative methods, and the findings were presented in percentage. The chemical reactions in the first and second sections of instrument were classified by participants in the rates of 92% and 54%, respectively. The formulas of products in the second section of instrument were written by them in the rate of 56%. The results of this study have revealed that participants have misconceptions about formulas and physical states of products.
Keywords: Chemical reactions, classification, undergraduates, conception, the states of matter
[HTML]
The Effects of Scenario Based Learning Approach to Overcome the Students’ Misconceptions About Inheritance
Doç. Dr. Lale CERRAH ÖZSEVGEÇ & Öğrt. Yasemin KOCADAĞIn this study, the effects of scenario based learning approach to eliminate the 8th grade students’ misconception about the inheritance were investigated. A class of a primary school in Giresun was selected randomly and the sample of the study consisted of 40 students. The mixed research method was used in the study. Open-ended questions and semi-structured interview were used to collect the data. The results of pre and post test showed that the students had misconceptions and knowledge deficiency about crossing and inheritance concepts. The scenario based learning is effective to overcome these learning problems. Moreover, findings of the interview have revealed that the students’ social skills and self-esteems were developed after the intervention.
Keywords: Scenario based learning, misconceptions, inheritance, primary education.
[HTML]
Effects of the Theory of Experiential Learning on Students’ Motivational Beliefs and Academic Achievement
Yrd. Doç. Dr. Esma ÇOLAKThis study focuses on the theory of experiential learning, which is one of the approaches based on active learning and individual differences. The aim of the study is to examine the effects of the structure of the theory, which is organized on the basis of learning styles, on individuals’ academic achievement and motivational beliefs. In addition, the study examines whether students’ motivational beliefs and academic achievement vary by learning style. The design prepared with this purpose was applied for 10 class hours to a group of 37 students. An academic achievement test developed by the researcher, and the Motivational Strategies Scale developed by Pintrinch and De Groot (1990) and adapted to Turkish by Üredi (2005) were used as pretest and posttest. In addition, the Learning Styles Inventory III, developed by Kolb and adapted to Turkish by Gencel (2006) was used to identify the learning styles of the students. The findings of the study showed that the learning style sensitive structure of the experiential learning theory had positive effects on students’ academic achievement and motivational beliefs. Another finding of the study was that students’ motivational beliefs and academic achievement did not vary by learning style, which implies that the design prepared is suitable for all learning styles.
Keywords: Experiential learning, motivational belief, learning style
[HTML]
Stress in English Language Teaching Practicum: the Views of All Stakeholders
Assist. Prof. Dr. Abdullah COŞKUNAs the importance attached to the English language is rapidly increasing, the pre-service training of English teachers is becoming more and more important. One of the most essential components of teacher training programs is the practicum course requiring last year English teacher trainees (TTs) to observe classes and do practice teaching before they step into the actual teaching profession. As various stakeholders, such as mentor teachers, supervisors, teacher trainees, school administrators and students are involved in the process of this course, causes of stress on each of these stakeholders were investigated in this study by means of open-ended surveys and interviews. The analysis of the qualitative data through content analysis brought to light the practicum-related problems causing stress for all the stakeholders. Summarizing the main stress-generating factors, the study concludes with suggestions for a less stressful practicum experience. It is believed that understanding the sources of stress arising from the practicum will help relevant stakeholders take necessary precautions to manage stress throughout the course.
Keywords: English Language Teaching, Practicum, Stress, Pre-service teachers
[HTML]
Usage Purposes and Perceived Effects of Social Networks
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mukaddes ERDEMThis study was conducted on social network users aged 12-15 who freely use the opportunities offered by social networks with the purpose of establishing new relationships or maintaining their existing relationships. The purpose of the study is to determine the study group’s perception on the effects of social networks and whether their perceptions affect their usage purposes. In this study, the data was collected via two scales that were developed in the scope of the study. Accordingly, it was concluded that the usage purposes did not change according to sex, however; usages did change according to variables such as age, number of used sites and frequency of usage. Some significant relationships were found between the users’ perceptions on the effects of using social networks and the purposes thereof.
Keywords: online social networks, usage purposes of social networks, effects of social networks, users’ perceptions on effects of social networks, young social network users
[HTML]
School Life Quality at Primary Schools: Case of Van Province
Dr. Ali ERDEN & Yrd. Doç. Dr. Mustafa ERDEM Identifying the perceptions of the 7th and 8th year primary-school students in relation to their school-life quality studying at public schools at Van, 430 students participated to the study. Data were collected using adapted version (called school-life quality at primary schools) of Ainley and Bourke’s (1992) ‘school-life quality’ scale. At school-life quality, dimensions named opportunity and success, social-integration, general-satisfaction, and teacher, students ‘never’ perceive at the opportunity and success dimension, whereas they ‘rarely’ perceive at the remaining dimensions. 8th grade students’ perceptions on general satisfaction dimension are more positive than the perceptions of 7th grades’. Female students’ perceptions at the teacher dimension are more positive than male students’. In terms of class-size, students studying at 26-30 and 36-40 class-sizes have less positive perceptions than the students studying at 46-over class-sizes. Additionally, students studying at 36-40 class sizes are more positive than the students studying at more or less class-size students.
Keywords: School-life quality, public primary schools, students’ perceptions
[HTML]
Exhibited Steps by Teachers While Solving Problems about “Force and Motion” unit which in 10th class
Arş. Gör. Seyhan ERYILMAZ & Prof. Dr. Ali Rıza AKDENİZBecause of the individuality and the complexity of the problem solving process, there are many factors which influence the students’ problem solving skills. One of the most important factors is the problem solving steps exhibited by teachers. Although there are many researches about the individual problem solving process, there have not been any researches about teachers’ problem solving steps. This research was carried out to determine problem solving steps exhibited by teachers during the unit of “Force and Motion”. In addition to this fundamental purpose, we tried to determine the compliance of the solved problems related to this unit with physics curriculum. For this purpose, 3 different teachers from 3 different schools in the province of Trabzon were observed throughout the related unit (74 hours). During this process, the solutions of 163 problems were observed. General phases exhibited by teachers during problem solving were identified through the examination of the solution of each problem separately. These phases are motivation, description of problem, physical description, plan, implementation of problem, providing the clarity of solution, enlargement of the solution and enlargement of the problem. In addition, teachers' specific problem-solving steps which are used in general problem-solving phases were identified. In contrast to the recommendations in the curriculum, most of the solved problems were not suitable for everyday life and were resolved by the teacher on the board. Teachers should be informed about the benefits of using problems related to everyday life, and the importance of appropriating problem solving steps according to the students’ or problems’
Keywords: Physics, force and motion, high school, teacher, problem solving
[HTML]
Comparison of Digital Native Children’s and their Digital Immigrant Parents’ Perceptions Related to Internet Addiction
Yrd. Doç. Dr. Necmi EŞGİThe aim of this study was comparison of self-perception of digital native children’s between the ages of 12 and 17 versus digital immigrant parents’ perceptions towards their children related to internet addiction. In order to achieve this goal İnternet Bağımlılık Testi (Internet Addiction Test-IAT20) and Aile Çocuk İnternet Bağımlılık Testi (Parent Child Internet Addiction Test-PCIAT20) scales developed by Young are used. Young also conducted reliability and validity studies for these scales. These scales were completed by 1433 children and their parents which totals to 2866 people. Study revealed that perception of children differed in large from their parents. While vast majority of digital native children saw themselves as average internet users, digital immigrant parents perceived problems with their digital native children’s internet use. Main reason for the differences in perception surfaced in the scales sub section related to use of time. For this reason internet addiction view based of the use time should be revisited for the digital natives. There is a need for different internet addiction scales for the digital natives based on new definitions.
Keywords: Digital, immigrant, native, internet, addiction
[HTML]
Exploring Guidance Counselors’ Cyber Bullying Awareness Level in Terms of Various Variables
Yrd. Doç. Dr. Mehmet Barış HORZUM & Doç. Dr. Tuncay AYAS The purpose of this study is to investigate guidance counselors’ awareness level of cyber bullying regarding their gender, seniority, age and make comparisons with other teachers' awareness level of cyber bullying. The sample of this study was composed of 180 guidance counselors working at Ministry of Education in spring semester of 2009-2010 academic year. “Teachers’ Awareness of Cyber Bullying Scale” developed by Ayas and Horzum (2011) was used to measure guidance counselors’ cyber bullying awareness level. The results indicated that female guidance counselors’ cyber bullying awareness level was significantly higher than the male guidance counselors’ awareness level. In addition, it was found that there was a significant, negative and slight relationship between the age of guidance counselors and their cyber bullying awareness level. However, their cyber bullying awareness level did not differ with respect to their seniorities. In addition, it was found that cyber bullying awareness level of guidance counselors’ was significantly higher than the other teachers.
Keywords: Cyber bullying, guidance counselor, cyber bullying awareness level.
[HTML]
Influence of the Constructivist Learning Approach on Students’ Levels of Learning Trigonometry and on Their Attitudes Towards Mathematics
Assist. Prof. Dr. Cemil İNANIn this experimental study, the influence of the constructivist learning approach on students’ levels of learning trigonometry and on their attitudes towards mathematics was examined in comparison with the traditional methods of instruction. The constructivist learning approach was the independent variable, while mathematics achievement, the lessons of trigonometry and the attitudes towards mathematics constituted the dependent variables. The study was designed as the pretest-posttest control group model. In order to collect the research data in the experimental study, the achievement test, the math attitude test and the material evaluation form developed to measure the influence of the instructional materials on learning were applied. An interview form developed to evaluate the students’ views about the application was applied. In order to measure the students’ attitudes towards mathematics, an attitude math scale was developed by the researcher. The internal consistency of the scale was calculated as 0, 9174. For the evaluation of the instructional materials, the instructional material evaluation form developed by Ardahan (2003) was applied. Based on the results obtained in the present study, it was concluded that in teaching mathematics, the constructivist learning approach helped maintain more permanent learning than the traditional method of instruction and helped develop positive attitudes towards mathematics.
Keywords: Trigonometry Teaching, Constructivist Learning, Math Attitude Scale
[HTML]
The Effect of Project Based Learning Approach on Elementary School Students' Motivation Toward Science and Technology Course
Özge IŞIK & Assist. Prof. Dr. Berna GÜCÜMIn this study, it has been aimed to determine the effect of project based learning approach applied at 7th grade Science and Technology Lesson of Elementary School to motivation levels of students against this lesson. This study has been executed by total 75 students of 7th grade in an Elementary School. 39 of these students has formed the experimental group and 36 of them has formed the control group. For the experimental group, project based learning approach has been used and for the control group, traditional learning approach has been applied. At the study, Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire has been used to collect data. At the end of the study, a statistically meaningful difference on behalf of motivation levels of experimental group students over whom project based learning approach has been applied, has been observed for science and technology when compared by motivation levels of control group students over whom traditional learning approach has been applied. Besides, after the application, there has been a statistically meaningful difference on behalf of experimental group; at linear direction when regarding self – organization, cognitive strategy usage, self – sufficiency, intrinsic value sub dimensions of motivation and at adverse direction when regarding exam stress sub dimension.
Keywords: Project based learning, motivation, teaching approach
[HTML]
Secondary Students’ Reference to Properties of Matter to Chemical Bonds: Is the Onus on the Ontological Mismatch Only?
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Filiz KABAPINAR Grounded in the constructivist view of knowledge, the present study aimed to find out whether Turkish students have a good grasp of properties of chemical bonds after receiving the conventional teaching. A questionnaire consisted of open ended questions was used as an assessment tool. It was distributed to 11th grade chemistry students (n= 404). Questions presented mass and energy properties in relation to chemical bonding and asked students to explain what they think and why they think in that way. A small group of students were also interviewed in relation to their written responses for further probing. Findings indicated that students possess alternative ideas. Despite the conventional instruction students believe that chemical bonds have mass and volume by giving the impression that they assign the concept to the matter category. A similar ontological mismatch was also detected regarding the energy concept. Findings also showed that matter-like feature of energy conception is common among Turkish students. This misconception played an important role in the context of chemical bonding as students depend upon this faulty idea in deciding mass change during bond formation.
Keywords: Misconceptions, Constructivism, Chemical Bonding, Matter, Energy, Ontology
[HTML]
An Investigation of the University Students’ Counseling Needs Related to Some Variables
Uzm. Psk. Dan. Altan KARATAŞ & Yrd. Doç. Dr. Cem Ali GİZİRThe purpose of the present study is to investigate the counseling needs of the university students with respect to their gender, class level and academic success. The sample consisted of 1504 (863 female, 641 male) undergraduate students enrolled in four faculty at Mersin University. ANOVA and t-test were used to analyze the data collected by “The Student Need Assessment Survey”. The results of the study revealed that male students expressed greater concern for financial, discrimination, disability and university education issues while female students were more concerned about academic and crises issues. Furthermore, junior and senior students showed higher economic, career and relationship needs than freshman and sophomore students. At least, academic, career and university education concerns seem especially more common among low achieving students.
Keywords: Counseling needs, need assessment, university students
[HTML]
A Comparison of Traditional Higher Education in Ottoman State and Choson State
Prof. Dr. Dae Sung KİM & Doç. Dr. Özgür SARITraditional higher education institutions played a role as a tool in the educating of power elites and constructing a higher state culture in the Otoman and Choson States. While higher education was organized on the basis of Confucian belief system in Choson State, in the Otoman State it took shape in the Islamic framework. In this study, Enderun and Sahn-ı Seman Madrasas and followingly Dar-ül Fünûn were compared to the classical higher education institute, Sunggyungwan in the Choson Dynasty which took a crucial place in Korean history. It was analyzed that how those traditional higher education institutes played a role in the education of the power elites and building a higher state culture.
Keywords: Ottoman State, Choson State, traditional higher education, power elite
[HTML]
The Relationship between Preferences among Some Synonym Physics Terms and Conceptual Perceiving of Pre-Service Teachers
Dr. Hasan Şahin KIZILCIKIn this study, the preferences of pre-service physics teachers among some synonymous physics terms that have alternatives and the relationship of this preference to conceptual perception were studied. The groups consisted of the third, fourth, fifth grade and leap year pre-service teachers of the Physics Education Programme took part as the sample group in the study. Three different types of applications were performed in the study. Whether these results that were obtained in the first two applications were compatible with the third application that aims to determine which one of these term pairs are preferred to be used by pre-service teachers was examined with the correlation analysis. As a result, on the other hand, is that the term preferences of pre-service teachers are generally independent from the skill of describing that term at a higher level or conceiving it with an accurate synonym. Another important result of the study is that Turkish-origin words are dominant in the preferences of pre-service teachers. In addition, answers that are higher level can be taken for Turkish-origin words than foreign-origin ones.
Keywords: Physics education, physics pre-service teachers, conceptual perception, synonym physics terms, preference.
[HTML]
The Effects of the Authentic Task on Preservice Teachers’ Achievement
Yrd. Doç. Dr. Sinan KOÇYİĞİT & Prof. Dr. Rengin ZEMBATThis study aims to investigate the effects of the curriculum based on authentic task on preservice early childhood teachers’ academic achievement. It was designed as an experimental study. Data were collected the 50-item and five-point “Multiple Choice Achievement Test” designed by the researcher for the course “Special Instruction Methods I” used in the study, a “Classical Exam” based on criteria in accordance with course content, the 20-item “Performance Assessment Form” prepared as a self-assessment, teacher and peer assessment tool to evaluate authentic tasks. The study was conducted with a total of 100 preservice teachers who were third year students at Marmara University, Atatürk Education Faculty’s Division of Early Childhood Education during the 2010-2011 academic year. Of these 100 preservice teachers, 35 were in the experimental group, 35 in the control-1 group, and 30 in the control-2 group. The results of the study an increase occurred in the academic achievement of all groups from the start to the end of the experiment (p<.01). However, there was a bigger increase in the achievement of the experimental group, where authentic tasks were assigned when compared to the other two (p<.01).
Keywords: authentic learning, authentic task, authentic assessment, peer assessment, self assessment
[HTML]
Investigating Learning Type in German Language Teaching: Tendencies and Evaluations in Preparatory Classes at Trakya University
Assist. Prof. Dr. Handan KÖKSALThe aim of this study is an answer to the question which learning type are observed among the prep-year students attending German Language Teaching Department at Trakya University, in Turkey is sought. The data was collected from the different prep-year students, for three years. A learning type test was administered to the students enrolled at the German Language Department. After describing the learning types, the students’ attitudes were analyzed statistically. Accordingly, the correlations between the learning type and education year were evaluated. Three important tendencies have been figured out: firstly, the learning types that have important common features have been determined. Secondly, it has been found out that the students who are the beginners have not been conscious about learning types, but they have positive attitudes towards those learning types. And thirdly, the learning types of the students have been found to be almost homogenous.
Keywords: Learning types, German as foreign language teaching, preparatory classes
[HTML]
Evaluation of Student Views about Worksheets Developed in Quadratic Functions
Yrd.Doç.Dr. Tamer KUTLUCA & Prof. Dr. Adnan BAKİThis study aims to evaluate views of student about worksheets developed for teaching the subject of quadratic functions which is included in 10th grade mathematics curriculum. The study was employed with 37 students. A case study method was used in this study. In the study, the following data collection instruments were used: the questionnaire of evaluation of worksheets about quadratic functions and a semi-structured interview. Students were concluded to perceive instruction with worksheets as enjoyable, instructive and swift, and appreciated worksheets since they facilitate drawing graphs and finding the equation of parabola on their own. In this sense, computer assisted worksheets were concluded to be practical in instruction.
Keywords: mathematics programs, quadratic functions, worksheets
[HTML]
Burnout among Turkish Teachers: The Influence of Sleep Quality and Job Satisfaction
Assist.Prof.Dr.Zihni MEREY, Assoc.Prof.Dr.Metin PİŞKİN, Assist.Prof.Dr.Murat BOYSAN & Assist.Prof.Dr.S.ŞEHRGiven the associations between job satisfaction and burnout, it is important to consider relations between job-related stress and sleep quality. Studies have consistently suggested that linkages between sleep problems and job-related stress are significant and have serious consequences on quality of life, work performance and motivation. Teaching is a stressful occupation, and to date possible influences of poor sleep quality on job burnout have received little attention. The aim of this study was to investigate predicting value of poor sleep quality on job burnout. Data were collected from 184 elementary school teachers. The Maschlack Burnout Inventory (MBI), Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were administered to volunteers. The linkage between poor sleep quality and job burnout was evaluated by using hierarchical regression analyses after controlling for demographical characteristics of subjects and job satisfaction. School climate, intrinsic job satisfaction, and sleep quality were significant determinants of burnout in school. Findings were discussed in the light of the theoretical considerations about job burnout.
Keywords: burnout, job satisfaction, sleep quality, teachers
[HTML]
Opinions of Teachers’ Competences in Teaching Turkish As A Foreign Language
Yrd. Doç. Dr. Filiz METE & Prof. Dr. Ülkü GÜRSOY Nowadays, the importance of foreign language education has gain even more importance and countries joined into a race of teaching their own languages to the rest of the world. Within the context of this work, opinions on what are the competences of the teachers that teach Turkish as a foreign language effectively and properly were reconsidered. To gather more information, there have been several interviews with the teachers mentioned above. Some of the findings were used to make new indicators of the competences and performance. The data that had been collected were gathered under the topics of A: Professional Knowledge B: Professional Skills and C: Professional Attitudes and Values by the references of MEB Teacher Competencies. The survey was conducted to the academicians and teachers who teach Turkish as a foreign language. It was the opinions of teacher's and academician's opinions what was asked in the survey. Then, according to the data obtained from the surveys and interviews, the draft competencies and performance indicators converted into 5-point Likert-type questionnaire. The survey was applied to those who teaches Turkish as a foreign language or has worked on the subject. According to the findings, %65,3 of them find Teaching Turkish As a Foreign Language Teachers’ Competences are very important, %32 of them important, %2,7 of them moderately important.. There was no one that finds the competences not important. The work was ended with results and discussion parts.
Keywords: teaching Turkish, Turkish as a foreign language, Turkish as a foreign language teachers’ competencies
[HTML]
The Effect of Cooperative Learning Activities on Anxiety and Motivation in Multilevel Adult Classes *
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Kadim ÖZTÜRK & Instructor,Ferdane DENKCİ AKKAŞThe purpose of present research is to investigate the effect of Cooperative Learning activities on motivation and anxiety in multilevel adult classes. Pre-test post-test design with control group was used for the research. Jigsaw and team reward techniques were applied in the experimental group including 12 students for eight weeks and the traditional method was carried out in the control group consisting of 12 students. The participants were the learners who attended the general English course at Uşak Public Education Center in 2005 and 2006. The data were collected with FLCAS (Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale) and FLMQ (Foreign Language Motivation Questionnaire). Comparison of the means, Mann Whitney U test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test were utilised in data analysis. Research results suggest that Cooperative Learning activities do not have a significant effect on motivation and anxiety in multilevel adult classes although some positive tendency has been observed in terms of these two variables.
Keywords: anxiety, motivation, multilevel adult classes, cooperative learning
[HTML]
The Adaptation of Psychological Well-Being into Turkish: A Validity and Reliability Study
Yrd. Doç. Dr. Bülent Baki TELEFThe purpose of this research is to study the psychometrical features of the Turkish form of the psychological well-being scale. The sample of the study includes 529 pre-service teachers, 339 (64%) of whom are females and 190 (36%) of whom are males. As a result of the exploratory factor analysis, it was found that the total explained variance was 42% and that the items were grouped under one factor. For criterion validity, psychological well-being scales and a need satisfaction scale were used. The Pearson product moment correlation between psychological well-being scales and a need satisfaction scale was calculated as .56 and .73 (p<.01). The reliability study indicated that the Cronbach alpha coefficient was .80. According to the test retest results, there was a high level of a positive and meaningful relation between the first and second applications of the scale (r= 0.86, p<.01). This study showed that the psychological well-being scale was a valid and reliable instrument to measure psychological well-being.
Keywords: well-being, psychological well-being, scale adaptation, validity, reliability
[HTML]
Speaking Anxiety Among Efl Student Teachers
Dr.Danyal Öztaş TÜM & Assist. Prof. Dr. Naciye KUNTSpeaking anxiety among student teachers can have considerable negative impacts on foreign language education. However, our current understanding of this construct remains very limited. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate non-native student teachers’ feelings of anxiety while speaking English. A study was conducted with 131 student teachers to probe the effects of such feelings. To that end, a questionnaire was administered to the participants and follow-up interviews were conducted. The results indicated that student teachers approaching the end of their teacher education programs did indeed experience feelings of self-consciousness and anxiety, which adversely affected their target language performance and emotional well-being. According to the participants’ responses to items on the questionnaire and their remarks during the interviews, foreign language anxiety has adverse effects in two areas: (1) the application of grammar rules and (2) the execution of speaking skills. Recommendations to help anxious student teachers overcome their anxiety are also made
Keywords: English as a foreign language, student teachers, speaking anxiety.
[HTML]
The Effect of Teaching Practicum on Foreign Language Teacher Candidates’ Non-Verbal Communication Use Level
Doç. Dr. Dalım Çiğdem ÜNAL & Yrd. Doç. Dr. İsmail Fırat ALTAYThe aim of this research is to investigate the effect of ‘Teaching Practice’ course on foreign language teacher candidates’ non-verbal communication use level. The study universe is composed of 27 foreign language teacher candidates who took ‘Teaching Practice’ course during 2011-2012 education year spring semester. The research is a single group based experimental study which makes use of pretest and posttest model. The data of the study has been determined by “Non-verbal Communication Observation Form” produced by the researchers. In addition, via video recording and observation technique, qualitative data has been gained. The data gained has been analyzed by Wilcoxon Marked Alignment Test and has been commented after it has been calculated in terms of its descriptive statistical value. The data obtained has shown that the scores between pretest and posttest do not exhibit a meaningful difference, so foreign language teacher candidates’ Teaching Practice education do not affect their non-verbal communication use level. According to the data gained through descriptive research, it has been understood that foreign language teacher candidates need to be well informed on the use of non-verbal communication.
Keywords: Non-verbal communication, foreign language teaching, teaching practice
[HTML]
The Opinions of CEIT Teacher Candidates about Web-Enhanced Learning Environment
Yrd. Doç. Dr. Adem UZUNThe purpose of this study was to identify the opinions of CEIT teacher candidates about a web-enhanced learning environment. Sixty teacher candidates taking Programming Languages II course given in Computer Education and Instructional Technologies Department in spring 2012 participated in this study. A course satisfaction questionnaire developed by the researcher was applied to the participants at the end of the course. The participants’ responses to the questionnaire, which consists of open-ended questions, were analyzed using qualitative methods. In the light of the information obtained, it was concluded that the teacher candidates generally had positive opinions about the web-enhanced learning environment designed to support the face to face part of the course. The positive opinions of the participants are grouped under three themes: the effectiveness of teaching materials, the ease of access and the support of educational activities. The teacher candidates stated that the most important factor of that environment was visual learning materials developed for the course. They also emphasized that improving visual learning materials and providing more communication and collaboration facilities would be beneficial to advance the learning environment. The findings of this study are also important for the educators who want to support their courses through the internet.
Keywords: Web-enhanced learning, teacher candidates’ opinions, programming languages course, qualitative analysis
[HTML]
A Spatial Sufficiency Analysis for Primary Schools; A Case Study of Burdur
Yrd.Doç.Dr. M.Serhat YENİCEThe aim of this study is to define a conceptual frame intended to determine spatial sufficiency level of primary school facilities and to probe Burdur city in scope of sampling. Main materials of the study consist of Burdur city 1/1.000-scaled base map and quantitative data obtained from field determination studies for primary school facilities. Method construct of the research is based on to seek per capita values, spatial size and spatial sufficiency occurring from accessibility standards of the quantitative data obtained within the fields of the primary school facilities. As a consequence of the study, it has been determined that, in terms of spatial sufficiency opportunities, the primary school facilities are unsuitably distributed at Burdur city neighborhood level and that it is insufficient in terms of spatial standards. As well as the fact that the study contributes to determine design-planning principles of those primary school facilities at Burdur city neighborhood level; it is thought that the study will also contribute to studies, which are intended to measure efficiency of primary school facility areas in other cities of Turkey.
Keywords: spatial size, accessibility, primary school facility areas.
[HTML]
Do Thinking Styles and Mathematics Self Concept Differentiate with respect to Mathematics Achievement?
Dr. Göksel YILDIZ & Prof.Dr. Seval FERIn this study, it was aimed to test if seventh graders’ thinking styles and mathematics self-concepts have significant difference according to mathematics achievement categories. The subjects participated in this study were 279 middle school seventh grade students from seven schools in Beşiktas in İstanbul. In this study, descriptive research design was used. Students’ mathematics self-concept was measured ‘Self-Description Questionnaire-I’ developed by Marsh (1992) and adapted into Turkish by Yıldız and Fer (2008). For the assessment of thinking styles ‘Thinking Styles Inventory’ developed by Sternberg and Wagner (1992) and adapted into Turkish by Fer (2005) was used. For the achievement in mathematics ‘Mathematics Achievement Test’ developed by the researcher was applied to the students. In terms of the study, the results demonstrated that according to mathematics achievement categories the legistlative and executive thinking styles and mathematics self-concepts increased with higher mathematics achievement, but judicial thinking style didn’t changed.
Keywords: Mathematics achievement, mathematics self-concept, thinking styles, middle school
[HTML]
Social Competence of Integrated Children With Mild Intellectual Disability
Doç.Dr. Arzu YÜKSELEN & Araş.Gör. E. Helin YABANThis study examines the social competence of integrated children with mild intellectual disability (ID) by comparing parents’ and teachers’ ratings. The relationships between social behaviors and age and whether these behaviors vary as a function of years of teaching experience and type of integration are also investigated. Data is obtained through self-report questionnaires completed by parents and teachers of 106 4-18 years aged integrated children with ID from Ankara, Turkey. Descriptive analysis results indicate that correlations between parents’ and teachers’ reports range from low to moderate. Prosocial behaviors increase along with age although the relationships vary with respect to parents’ and teachers’ ratings. Parents’ reports of hyperactivity/overly sensitive scores differentiate according to years of teaching experience and type of integration. Teachers’ reports of self-isolated/ritualistic and insecure/anxious scores vary based on years of teaching experience. Effect of type of integration on teachers’ reports of self-isolated/ritualistic scores is found.
Keywords: intellectual disability, integrated programs, social competence, problem behaviors
[HTML]