Investigation of the Effect of the Simulation Method on Academic Achievement in Science with 7th graders in Science Course

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the simulation method on the academic achievement of the 7th-graders in secondary school in the science course. The %20Light%20 unit was selected as a subject. The research was carried out with the participation of 98 students (Experiment, n %253D 52 and Control, n %253D 46) at a secondary school in the city center of Çanakkale in the spring term of 2013-2014 academic year. It was an experimental study with the pretest-posttest control group. This study collected data with the Science Academic Achievement Test (SAAT) developed by Benli, Sarıkaya and Kayabaşı (2012). Since the validity and reliability studies of the SAAT were conducted in Çanakkale, it was recalculated and found suitable in terms of validity and reliability. In the control group, the constructivist approach was employed while in the experimental group, the simulation method was implemented. The pretest results showed no significant differences between the experimental and control groups in terms of academic achievement. When the SAAT posttest scores of the students in both groups, that is, in the control and experimental groups, were examined, the average score in favor of the experimental group was found to be higher. At the end of the study, when the SAAT posttest scores of the students in both groups were examined, the average score in favor of the experimental group was found to be higher