Developing a parental mediation scale of digital games for children

The aim of this study is to develop a valid and reliable scale for determining parental mediation strategies in the process that children 48-72 months old play digital games. The study group of the research consists of 643 parents with 48-72 months old children in total in Ankara and Kars city centres between the years 2018-2019. The screening model among quantitative research methods was used in this research. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used for structure validity. The exploratory factor analysis was carried out with the participation of 343 parents with 48-72 months old children attending the official independent kindergarten under the Ministry of National Education in central Ankara. A 40-item scale structure in a five-factor structure was determined in consequence of the exploratory factor analysis. To test the validity of the scale, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted. The exploratory factor analysis was carried out with the participation of 300 parents with 48-72 months old children attending the official independent kindergarten under the Ministry of National Education in central Kars. As a result of the validity studies conducted, the five-factor structure was named as viewing, laissez faire, technical, restrictive and active co-playing

AN EXAMINATION OF STEAM ENGINEERING DESIGNS IN THE PRE-SCHOOL PERIOD

STEAM embodies an integrative educational approach that holistically synthesizes Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. The implementation of STEAM pedagogies within early childhood or pre-school curriculums significantly bolsters children's abilities in design, design thinking, innovation, creative thought, problem-solving, and critical thinking. The primary objective of this study is a comprehensive exploration of preschool-aged children's processes in STEAM design. This study employs a qualitative case-study research design, incorporating a convenience sample of 12 pre-school children from an independent kindergarten overseen by the Provincial Directorate of National Education. A 'STEAM design observation form,' devised by the investigator, and photographs capturing the design process, function as the primary data collection tools. The data analysis process was guided by content analysis methods, leading to the categorization of data into two core themes - design planning and design execution. The results of this study indicate that children are actively involved in STEAM design processes. They formulate and execute age-appropriate designs, efficiently employing engineering design processes in their work. With these findings, this study offers insights and recommendations for practitioners and researchers aiming to cultivate and enhance STEAM design principles within preschool educational settings

A PORTFOLIO INVENTORY: AN INVESTIGATION OF VISUAL ARTWORK MADE BY CHILDREN AS BEING TOOL- OR ART-ORIENTED IN STRUCTURE

This study aims to examine the visual artwork made by children as a result of the visual arts education practices of preschool teachers in institutions in terms of having tool- or art-oriented structures. The working group of the study consists of the visual artwork created by 763 children attending the lessons given by 61 teachers working at 18 independent kindergartens/nursery classes. The study used the general survey model. A “Personal Information Form” and “Form for Evaluating the Exhibited Visual Artwork of Children in Preschool Institutions in Terms of Artistic Structure” were used to collect data. In the study, the visual artwork made by children aged 48-60 months and over and displayed on the panels was collected using the "photograph recording method," one of the observation recording methods. To collect the data, a total of 18 schools were visited twice a week for five weeks with three to four days between both observations, and the visual artwork made by each class was observed. The two-step cluster method, which is formed by combining descriptive statistics with “k Means” (a non-hierarchical clustering technique from multiple statistics), and “Ward’s Minimum Variance” (a hierarchical technique), was used to analyze the data. As a result of the study, the first and second observations determined that there were two clusters, namely, tool-oriented structure and art-oriented structure and that the children’s mean scores in both clusters were low.Bu araştırmanın amacı okul öncesi öğretmenlerinin kurumlarda görsel sanat eğitimi uygulamaları sonucunda çocukların yaptıkları görsel sanat ürünlerinin araç ya da sanat odaklı yapı yönünden incelenmesidir. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu bağımsız anaokulları/anasınıflarından araştırmaya katılmaya gönüllü olan 15 okulda görev yapan 61 öğretmenin sınıfına devam eden 763 çocuğun oluşturduğu görsel sanat ürünleri oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmada genel tarama modeli kullanılmıştır. Verilerin toplanması amacıyla “Kişisel Bilgi Formu” ve “Okul Öncesi Kurumlarda Çocukların Sergilenen Görsel Sanat Ürünlerini Sanatsal Yapısı Yönünden Değerlendirme Formu” kullanılmıştır. Araştırmada panolarda sergilenen 48-60 ay ve üzeri çocukların yaptıkları görsel sanat ürünleri, gözlem kayıt yöntemlerinden biri olan “fotoğraf kayıt yöntemi” ile toplanmıştır. Verilerin toplanması amacıyla toplamda 18 okula beş hafta süresince haftada iki kez olmak üzere ve her iki gözlem arasına üç-dört gün süre konulacak şekilde gidilmiş, her bir sınıfın yaptığı görsel sanat ürünleri gözlenmiştir. Verilerin analizinde betimsel istatistikler ile çoklu istatistiklerden hiyerarşik olmayan kümeleme tekniklerinden “k Ortalamalar” ve hiyerarşik tekniklerinden ise “Ward’ın En Küçük Varyans” tekniklerinin birleştirilmesi ile oluşan İki Aşamalı Kümeleme (Two step cluster) yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın sonucunda, sergilenen görsel sanat ürünlerinin sanatsal yapısı yönünden değerlendirilmesinde birinci ve ikinci gözlem sonucunda, araç odaklı yapı ve sanat odaklı yapı kümelerine ayrılan iki küme olduğu, her iki kümedeki çocukların ortalama puanlarının düşük düzeyde olduğu saptanmıştır

Okul öncesi dönem çocuklarında çalışma belleği ve engelleyici kontrol: Dikkatin aracı rolü

Bu araştırmanın amacı, dikkat, çalışma belleği ve engelleyici kontrol becerileri arasındaki ilişki ve çalışma belleği ile engelleyici kontrol arasında dikkatin aracı rolünün incelenmesidir. Araştırma, Kars ilinde kamu anaokuluna ve anasınıfına devam eden 60-72 aylık 200 çocuğun katılımıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmada İvrendi ve Erol (2018) tarafından geliştirilen 4-6 Yaş Çocuklarına Yönelik Öz düzenleme Becerileri Ölçeği (Öğretmen Formu) kullanılmıştır. Veri toplama aracına yapılan Doğrulayıcı Faktör Analizi (DFA) ve iç tutarlık analizine göre veri toplama aracının geçerli ve güvenilir olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Araştırmanın sonucunda çalışma belleği, dikkat ve engelleyici kontrol becerilerinin doğrudan ve olumlu yönde etkilemektedir. Dikkat, engelleyici kontrolü doğrudan ve olumlu yönde etkilemektedir. Basit etki modeli ile aracı etki modeli karşılaştırıldığında, çalışma belleği ve engelleyici kontrol arasında ilişki azalmış ancak anlamlı farklılık ortadan kalkmadığı için dikkatin çalışma belleği ve engelleyici kontrol arasında kısmi aracı etkiye sahip olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Araştırmada önerilen modele ait bulgular alanyazına göre incelenmiş, çalışma belleği, dikkat ve engeleyici kontrolün işlevsel özellikleri ve etkileşimi tartışılmıştır

Decision tools for electricity transmission service and pricing : a dynamic programming approach

Thesis (M.Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2001.This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-107).For a deregulated electricity industry, we consider a general electricity market structure with both long-term bilateral agreements and short-term spot market such that the system users can hedge the volatility of the real-time market. From a Transmission Service Provider's point of view, optimal transmission resource allocation between these two markets poses a very interesting decision making problem for a defined performance criteria under uncertainties. In this thesis, the decision-making is posed as a stochastic dynamic programming problem, and through simulations the strength of this method is demonstrated. This resource allocation problem is first posed as a centrally coordinated dynamic programming problem, computed by one entity at a system- wide level. This problem is shown to be, under certain assumptions, solvable in a deterministic setup. However, implementation for a large transmission system requires the algorithm to handle stochastic inputs and stochastic cost functions. It is observed that the curse of dimensionality makes this centralized optimization infeasible. Thesis offers certain remedies to the computational issues, but motivates a partially distributed setup and related optimization functions for a better decision making in large networks where the intelligent system users drive the use of network resources. Formulations are introduced to reflect mathematical and policy constraints that are crucial to distributed network operations in power systems.by Özge Nadia Gözüm.M.Eng

STEAM MAKERSPACE: REFLECTIONS FROM TEACHERS AND CHILDREN

  Makerspaces function as dynamic learning environments abundant in stimuli that enhance and augment Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) education. These collaborative spaces serve as crucibles for children's learning where they gather, guided by their interests, to work, play, experiment, explore, and create in unison. This study endeavors to investigate teachers' perspectives on the utilization of STEAM makerspaces and further observe children's engagement within these contexts. Our research employed a phenomenological approach, a qualitative research methodology. Data were collected using nominal focus group interviews and direct observation techniques. The study findings underscored the significant role of STEAM makerspaces as stimulating learning environments. These spaces were found to foster children's creativity and imagination through the diverse range of materials they house. Furthermore, the comfortable and inclusive atmosphere within the STEAM makerspaces promoted a sense of belonging amongst the children, contributing to their social and emotional wellbeing. The study also emphasized that STEAM makerspaces cater to comprehensive developmental facets, specifically enhancing cognitive development, creativity, imagination, and self-confidence in children. Moreover, these innovative learning environments encourage active child participation, providing an array of opportunities for hands-on, experiential learning

New Approaches In Health Education; Web Based Health Education

Bilgi iletişim teknolojilerindeki baş döndürücü gelişmeler, toplumun ve hastaların sağlık problemleriyle ilgili daha fazla bilgi vedestek almak amacıyla interneti daha sık kullanmaları, erişkin bireylerin yüz yüze yapılan sağlık eğitimlerine ayıracak zamanlarınınolmayışı, bireyin öğrenmeye hazır olduğu zaman web ortamındaki bilgiye defalarca ulaşma olasılığı ve web ortamında yapılan eğitimlerinklasik eğitimlere göre daha düşük maliyetli olması gibi özellikler web destekli sağlık eğitiminin vazgeçilmezliğini artırmaktadır. Ayrıca,web ortamında yapılan sağlık eğitimi girişimlerinin başarılı olduğunu gösteren çok sayıda nitelikli kanıtın varlığı, sağlık eğitimi vermesorumluluğu olan profesyonellerin WDSE'ye gündemlerinde önemli bir yer vermeleri gerektiğini göstermektedir. WDSE yalnızca kroniksağlık sorunlarının çözümünde değil, sosyal destek gruplarının oluşmasında ve sağlığı geliştirmeye yönelik davranışlarının kazandırılmasıgibi çok geniş bir alanda etkin rol oynayabilir. Bu makalenin amacı web ortamında yapılan sağlık eğitimi araştırmalarının sonuçlarınısunmak ve etkinliğini artırmak için yapılması gerekenler konusunda sağlık profesyonellerine bir bakış açısı kazandırmaktır. Great developments in data information technology; that society and patients use the internet more frequently in order to obtain moreinformation ana support about their health problems; that adults do not have time to spend on face to face health education; that individualhas the opportunity to reach the information on web when s/he is ready to learn; and that web based health education is more affordable thanclassical education are among the features which increase the indispensability of web based health education. Besides, the presence of muchevidence that shows the success of the attempts of web based health education shows that the professionals, responsible from giving healtheducation, must feature WBHE on their agenda. WBHE plays an effective role in not only the solution of chronic health problems but alsoformation of social support groups and forming behaviour intended for improving health. The aim of this article is to present the results ofthe web based health education studies and to give perspective to health professionals about the things to be done to increase the efficiency ofWBHE

Evaluation of Cystoid Macular Edema Using Optical Coherence Tomography and Fundus Autofluorescence after Uncomplicated Phacoemulsification Surgery

Aim. To investigate the utility of fundus autofluorescence (FAF) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the evaluation of cystoid macular edema (CME) following cataract surgery. Materials and Methods. Forty eyes of 29 patients undergone phacoemulsification, with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation surgery. Central macular thickness (CMT) of the patients was evaluated using OCT and FAF preoperatively and postoperative 1st, 30th, 60th, 90th, and 180th days. Results. CME was detected in three eyes (7.5%) of two patients using OCT. Hyperautofluorescence (HAF) was detected in two of these three eyes and resolved with treatment. In the remaining 37 eyes without CME, there was a significant increase in visual acuity when compared to preoperative values () Mean macular thicknesses (MMT) of the eyes without CME were 174 ± 20 μm preoperatively and 179 ± 22 μm at day 1, 178 ± 19 μm at 1st month, and 168 ± 10 μm at 6th month postoperatively. In the eyes with CME, the MMTs, measured with OCT were 189 ± 23 μm preoperatively and 432 ± 361 on day 1, 343 ± 123 μm at 1st month, 345 ± 196 at 2nd month, and 200 ± 36 μm at 6th month postoperatively. Conclusion. We found a moderate increase in CMT in the first 3 months postoperatively, in the eyes without CME which did not cause visual disturbances. FAF is a noninvasive, rapid method for the evaluation and follow-up of CME following cataract surgery