Opinions of 7th Grade Students about Enriched Educational Practices in the Scope of Science Course

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine the opinions of the students about 7^th grade science courses carried out with enriched educational practices. The research was conducted throughout fall semester of 2014-2015 academic year in the scope of Systems within our Body Unit (SBU), Force and Motion Unit (FMU), and Electric within our Lives Unit (ELU). Qualitative research was adapted as the method in this study. The State study strategy was benefited in the research scope. A semi-structured interview form, observation form and student journals were used as data collection tools. Semi-structured interview forms and journals were used to determine the opinions of the students about the carried out practices. Observation data were acquired by observing the course teaching. Content analysis and descriptive analysis techniques were used for the analysis of the interview data; and descriptive analysis technique was used for the analysis of the observation data. Based on the held interviews and findings obtained from the journals, the students indicated that they found science course more fun, more effective, interesting and good, and they liked the course more and understood and learned the subjects in the course as a result of the enriched educational practices carried out in science courses. The students stated that they wanted the subjects of other units of science courses to be taught by enriched educational practices. Considering the research findings, teaching science courses can be suggested by enriched educational practices carried out in the scope of this research directed to the students who don’t like the course within classroom, don’t do the assigned homework, and aren’t interested in the course.