Determination of Motivation of 5th Grade Students Living in Rural and Urban Environments towards Science Learning and their Attitudes towards Science-technology Course

Abstract

In this research, determination of motivation of 5th grade students living in rural and urban environments towards science learning and their attitudes towards science-technology course is aimed. This research is conducted based on descriptive survey model. Samples are selected through teleological model in accordance with the aim of this research. Samples are formed of 861 5th grade students from a total of 13 schools in rural and urban environments within the provincial borders of Kutahya. Scale of Towards Science Learning developed by Dede and Yaman (2008) and Scale of Attitudes towards Science and Technology Course for 4th and 5th Grade Elementary School Students developed by Kenar and Balci (2012) are utilized as data collection tools. It is identified as a result of this research that it is female students of the rural environment and male students of the urban environment who have better motivation towards science learning. It is determined that students living in rural environments whose families belong to high income group have better motivation towards science learning, while there is no significant difference depending on income groups in the case of students living in urban environments. It is concluded that attitudes of female students compared to male students towards science and technology course are more positive in both environments. No significant difference by family income status is found for students living in rural environment, while in the case of urban environments, an increase in family income status ends up with an increase in their attitudes towards science and technology course.