The Effect of Peer Instruction Method in Programming Education to Student’s Attitudes towards Course and Programming Self-Efficacy

Abstract

In this research, the effect of using the peer instruction method in programming teaching on the secondary school student’s attitudes towards information technologies and software course and their perception of programming self-efficacy comparing to traditional teaching methods are examined. In the study, the “mixed method,” in which qualitative and quantitative research approaches were utilized together, was used. In the quantitative part of the research, the pretest-posttest control group and semi-experimental research model was used. In the research, a qualitative research design was also used to describe the different opinions and thoughts of the students about peer instruction method more detailed and in-depth. To this end, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 volunteered students from the experimental group. The study group of the research consisted of 72 sixth grade students studying in a secondary school in Turkey. In the study, it was observed that students stated opinions such as “increasing interest in lessons” and “makinglessons more fun.” However, it was observed that this situation did not reflect statistically on the results. According to the research findings, it can be said that the peer instruction method increases students’ perceptions of programming self-efficacy more than the traditional teaching method. Student views such as “the subjects are reinforced” and “the skill of expression is increased” support this situation. The students who participated in the peer instruction method stated that the process contributed to their own and their friends’ communication and that they would be pleased with the use of this method in other courses.