A Meta-Analysis on instructional applications of constructivism in science and technology teaching: A sample of Turkey

Abstract

In this study, the meta-analysis technique has used to aimed to achieve a comprehensive vision on quality will lead to new study about instructional applications of constructivism have effectiveness on the achievement and attitude of science and technology lesson according to the research that took place in Turkey between the years 2002-2012. As a part of this study, determined inclusion criteria for the collection of data coding form was prepared. Within the scope of the study; 25 doctoral dissertations, 77 scholarly articles in total 102 investigations were examined. 31 experimental and quasi-experimental studies which were found suitable for inclusion criteria are combined with meta-analysis. Each studies' effect size which were included in the meta-analysis is calculated by using statistical software CMA (Comprehensive meta-analysis) according to Cohen's d. According to the results, student-centered activities are determined to be more effective than traditional activities for increasing the achievement of science and technology lesson on a large level (ES=1.003); in developing a positive attitude for the science/science and technology lesson with a medium level (ES=0.743). In addition, student-centered activities are determined to be more effective than the traditional activities for increasing the achievement of science and technology lesson in all disciplines of science on a large level (on the subjects of Physics, ES=1.025; on the subjects of Chemistry, ES=1.087; on the subjects of Biology, ES=0.923), developing a positive attitude of science/science and technology lesson on a medium level on the subjects of Physics (ES=0.473); and a large level on the subjects of Chemistry (ES=0.843) and Biology (ES=0.970). Besides, the findings show that the studies that have been included in the analysis, have no publication bias. Suggestions have been made for issues to be considered on science teaching research to be carried out and meta-analysis issues' necessity to be studied.