The Effect of Mathematical Modeling Activities Used in Primary School 4th Grade Science Courses on Students’ Achievement and Motivation

MUSTAFA AÇIKGÖZ

The Effect of Mathematical Modeling Activities Used in Primary School 4th Grade Science Courses on Students’ Achievement and Motivation

Thesis Type: Postgraduate

Institution Of The Thesis: Yıldız Technical University, Graduate School of Social Sciences, Basic Education, Turkey

Approval Date: 2024

Thesis Language: Turkish

Student: MUSTAFA AÇIKGÖZ

Supervisor: Zeynep Yıldız

Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection

Abstract:

The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of mathematical modeling activities used in primary school 4th grade science course on students' success and motivation. For this purpose, the mixed method, in which both quantitative and qualitative methods are used together, and the sequential explanatory design of this method, were used. In the quantitative dimension of the research, a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test control group was used. In the qualitative dimension, the participants' opinions and reactions about the process were tried to be determined by using the interview method. For the quantitative dimension of the research, a universe sample was created with a total of 50 fourth-grade students studying at a public primary school on the European side of Istanbul in the 2023-2024 academic year, 25 in the control group and 25 in the experimental group. For the qualitative dimension, a study group was formed with 11 participants from the experimental group using the criterion sampling method of purposeful sampling. The research lasted five weeks in total. During this period, the control group implemented the science curriculum as it was, while the experimental group carried out mathematical modeling activities prepared for the properties of matter unit along with the science curriculum. As data collection tools, the Properties of Matter Academic Achievement Test developed by Gürler and Akgün (2023), the Motivation Scale for Science Learning developed by Tuan, Chin and Shieh (2005) and adapted into Turkish by Yılmaz and Çavaş (2007), and the semi-structured scale developed by the researcher. An interview form was used. In the analysis of the data, SPSS program was used for the quantitative data, while content analysis was used for the analysis of the qualitative data. According to the quantitative results of the research, mathematical modeling activities used in primary school science courses significantly increased students' achievements. However, this process did not have a significant effect on students' motivation to learn science. According to the qualitative results, mathematical modeling activities are difficult, confusing and time-consuming problems to solve. However, this process has made the science lesson easier. While the students had difficulty in understanding the problem, they easily passed the stage of using mathematics. Again, this process contributed to the students liking the science lesson more and the daily life-mathematics-science relationship being better noticed by the students, and it increased cohesion by positively affecting the social relations of the students.