The Effect of Problem Based Learning on Gifted and Normal Students’ Achievement and Creativity Levels

Abstract

-The aim of the research is to develop, administer and test the effects of a Science and Technology program for gifted and normal learners. The research has been carried on a pilot school in İstanbul which enrolls gifted and normal learners. The study group of the research consisted of 48 sixth graders, 25 of them were included in experimental group, and 23 of them were in the control group. In the experimental group, the students received a differentiated education about " Electricity In Our Lives " unit, whereas the students in control group received no intervention. The research data was derived from " Torrance Test of Creative Thinking " and " Achievement Test " which was developed by the researchers. Non-parametric MannWhitney-U and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests were applied in order to analyze the statistical data. The findings of the research showed that the developed program increased the achievement levels of students and no difference observed for creativity.