Effects of CoRe-based Density Unit Lesson on Conceptual Formation and Class Satisfaction

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the CoRe-based density unit class on conceptual formation and on learner satisfaction with the class. For this study, two hundred and forty 8th grade students were chosen from six classes. The students were divided into two groups: an experimental group, which received a CoRe-based density unit lesson, and a control group, which was taught based on traditional teaching method. The CoRe-based density unit classes consisted of 4 periods based on the analysis of the previous studies on CoRe about density. The results showed the meaningful significant difference between the CoRe-based classes and the classes based on traditional teaching method both in the posttest on the extent of the conceptual formation on the density and in the retention test. The difference suggests that the lesson with CoRe is based on the consideration of the difficulties and limitations students face in various fields such as the students themselves, teachers, learning environment, evaluation, etc. during their learning process and even in the types of preconception they have, and the CoRe-based lesson is centered around the best teaching strategies to solve such difficulties. As a result of the analysis on the experimental group's class satisfaction, it is revealed that the students with a high level of attitudes related science or with a high level of science achievement showed especially high satisfaction in their learning. Analysis of questionnaire survey showed that the students in the experimental group got the opportunity through CoRe-based lesson to stretch their thoughts and ideas in a free way and preferred a teaching method which didn't just show the concept, but allowed them to find it for themselves or which let them predict the solution and then confirm the result on their own and a lesson which encouraged their active participation. keywords : CoRe, Conceptual Formation, Class Satisfaction