Assessment of Educational Neuromyths among Teachers and Teacher Candidates

The aim of study is to determine the neuromyth level of teachers and pre-teachers and reveal if there is significant difference in terms of some variables (gender, class, etc.). Research was designed in survey model. The research sample was formed with 241 teachers and 511 teacher candidates. In the collection of data, “Educational neuromyhts test” that has 31 questions with options “right, wrong, I have no idea” that was created by the authors by applying reliability studies. Score that can be taken from measuring tool are in the range of 0-31. According to the findings; while teachers are having an average score of “18,87”, teacher candidates received an average score of “16,70”. According to this result, teacher and teacher candidates have misplaced half of the questions of neurometry. While comparing the scores of teachers and teacher candidates, a significant difference in favor of the teachers (p=.000) were found. The results of the research are expected to led to a debate on “brain and learning” issues.</jats:p

EFFECTS OF POE ON PRE-SCHOOL STUDENTS’ CRITICAL THINKING AND POE SKILLS

Apart from basic skills such as self-care and speaking, higher-order cognitive skills including inquiry, critical thinking, and scientific thinking can develop during early childhood. Thus, it is crucial to employ teaching methods that support the development of higher-order cognitive skills in these age groups and ensure that these children systematically use such skills.This study aimed to investigate the effects of the POE (Predict-Observe-Explain) method on the POE and critical thinking skills during early childhood. In this context, 27 pre-school students participated in the study, which involved an experimental design and was carried out for six weeks. In the study, the data collected by using quantitative and qualitative data collection tools were analyzed using appropriate analysis methods. The researchers compared the effects of scientific experiments prepared in line with the POE and gamification on students' critical thinking skills through philosophical inquiry (CTSPI) and POE skills, and skills that constitute the sub-dimensions of these skills. The findings revealed that in early childhood education the POE was more effective than gamification in developing students' critical thinking and POE skills. Similarly, teachers participating in the research process thought that the POE was more effective than gamification in motivating students and turning their attention to teaching processes. Considering the results, the POE is recommended to be used in early childhood education, especially in transferring scientific content in the fields of science

A new approach to determine the density of liquids and solids without measuring mass and volume: Introducing the solidensimeter

© 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd.This study aims to design a mechanism with which the density of any solid or liquid can be determined without measuring its mass and volume in order to help students comprehend the concept of density more easily. The solidensimeter comprises of two scaled and nested glass containers (graduated cylinder or beaker) and sufficient water. In this method, the density measurement was made using the Archimedes' principle stating that an object fully submerged in a liquid displaces the same amount of liquid as its volume, while an object partially submerged or floating displaces the same amount of liquid as its mass. Using this method, the density of any solids or liquids can be determined using a simple mathematical ratio. At the end of the process a mechanism that helps students to comprehend the density topic more easily was designed. The system is easy-to-design, uses low-cost equipment and enables one to determine the density of any solid or liquid without measuring its mass and volume