Department Of Computer Education Research Articles

Investigation of Hypothetico-Creative Reasoning Skills of Teacher Trainees in Terms of Their Thinking Styles

Thinking styles more boradly intellectual styles refers to people’s partly fixed, relatively stable and innate preferences about information processing and handling with the tasks that they may confront (Zhang & Sternberg, 2005). Sternberg’s (1988) introduced of the theory of mental self-government, where intellectual style specifies 13 thinking styles that fall along five dimensions of mental self-government: (a) functions, (b) forms, (c) levels, (d) scopes, and (e) leanings of government as applied to individuals (Zhang, Sternberg, Rayner, 2002: 14).Hypothetico-Creative reasoning model developed by Duran (2014) can be defined skills including logical and creative thinking skills in 12 dimensions. This study, is a descriptive study based on, relational screening model among the screening models.The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between learning styles proposed by Sternberg (1988) and hypothetico-creative reasoning skills proposed by Duran (2014) in the context of the characteristics of left an right brains or thinking modes emphasized by Zhang (2002). The population consists of all the second grade students (N=383) in those departments in the education period 2015-2016 in English Teaching Department, Preschool Education Department, Department of Elementary Education, The Department of Computer Education and Instruction, The Department of Psychological Counseling And Guidance. It was found that students are more prone to use their right brains, that is lateralization of hepispheric specialization is thought to be in right side. Hence students perceive themselves to use Type I thinking, holistic mode of thinking styles indicating that they use right brain hence perceive themselves to be more holistic, creative and experiantial learners.

TRAINING NEEDS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL LEAVERS IN THE EFFECTIVE USE OF ONLINE TEST ASSESSMENT FOR ENTRY INTO HIGHER INSTITUTION

The study was carried out to identity the training needs of secondary school leavers in the effective use of online test assessment for entry into higher institution. The design of the study was survey research design. Five research questions guided the study. The study was carried out in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. Population for the study was 1032, sample for the study was 232 made up of 200 secondary school leavers and 32 internet tutors using proportionate random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used for the data collection. The instrument was face validated by three experts, one from Data Perfect Computers Centre Akwanga and two from Computer Education Department, college of Education, Akwanga. Data collected were analysed using weighted mean to answer the research question, and t-test statistics clusters had their reliability coefficients ranged from 0.82 to 0.86 respectively. It was found out that Secondary School leavers needed training on the five clusters in 61 competencies on the use of internet for success in online test assessment. It is recommended that computer training centres and institution with computer training facilities should use the identified competencies by this study for training secondary school leavers for success in online test assessment for job application or entry into higher institution. Article visualizations:

Pre-service teachers’ behavioral intention to make educational animated movies and their experiences

Educational animated movies are one of the most entertainment format to deliver any educational messages. These movies can be used a wide range of educational subject areas such as science, engineering and daily life skills procedures. The purpose of this study is to determine the behavioral intention of pre-service teachers while preparing educational animated movies, the factors influencing such behavioral intention, and their experiences. The sample consists of 98 (52 males and 46 females) pre-service teachers studying Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology. As data collection tools, two different scales were used in order to determine the levels of attitude of the pre-service teachers towards making animated movies and their experiences such as their cooperative communication levels, levels of enjoyment and having difficulty. They prepared the animated movies for class use during five weeks. According to the findings, they were willing to make animated movies in their future lessons. In addition, they enjoyed it, did not experience much difficulty, and engaged in cooperative communication with one another. Performance expectancy was seen to have the highest mean and to have a significant influence on behavioral intention. This research is significant because process of preparing movies is easy and achievable and thus encourages all branch teachers to use this technology in their lessons.

Investigation of Attitudes Towards Computer Programming in Terms of Various Variables

This study aims to determine the attitudes of individuals towards computer programming in terms of various variables. The study group consists of the students of Kastamonu University Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technologies Teaching (CEIT), Department of Computer Engineering, and Department of Computer Programming. Data were collected via Attitude towards Computer Programming Scale (AtCPS).The results of this study show that students have neutral attitudes towards computer programming in general. Male computer programming students have significantly higher attitudes towards programming in comparison to female computer programming students. In addition, attitude towards computer programming statistically varies by grade. The higher is grade, the lower is attitude. The more time CEIT and computer programming students spend on computer for programming purposes daily, the more positive attitudes they have towards programming. Attitude significantly varies by graduated high school only among CEIT students.

Determination of teacher candidates’ anxiety levels on using facebook for instructional purposes

In this study, candidate teachers’ anxiety levels were determined based on the use of Facebook for instructional purposes. The research is a clear sample of descriptive study. The research was held in the department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology of Near East University. With the aim of gathering data on this specific subject, a questionnaire was put to the participants. The sample was taken from 202 candidates between the ages of 20 and 32.
 
 Keywords: Education, Social Network, Facebook, Negative Effects

The Investigation of Preservice Teachers’ and Primary School Students’ Views about Online Digital Storytelling

This study was aimed at investigating the views held by preservice teachers from the department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology (CEIT) and those of 6th grade students about the process of online digital storytelling activities as it applies to the students‘ education. The study was designed as a case study. The data were collected through direct observations, semi-structured interviews and surveys. The participants of the study were eight senior preservice teachers from CEIT and 47 6th grade students from Eskisehir Cagdas Private Elementary School. The study followed two stages. In the first stage, the preservice teachers from CEIT were trained in online digital storytelling; and in the second stage, the preservice teachers performed online digital storytelling activities with 6th grade students. According to the findings obtained in the study, the preservice teachers thought that carrying out digital storytelling activities in an online environment engages students‘ attention, accelerates the digital storytelling process, increases communication between students and contributes to the development of students‘ digital stories. In addition, both the preservice teachers and the elementary school students agreed that digital storytelling developed the students‘ 21st century skills. On the other hand, the preservice teachers complained about the fact that digital storytelling activities lasted for a long period of time; that the students were reluctant to participate; and that the students copied their scenarios from the Internet; meanwhile, the students mostly complained about technical problems, about the lack of sufficient sources related to the their stories and about the extended time-taking aspect of the activity process.

English

Thinking styles are considered as approaches and tendencies of individuals toward various problems, incidents, phenomenon and variables which they face through their thinking processes. Preservice teachers are expected to be capable of using information and communication technologies (ICT) in intra- and extra- curricular activities and be a role model to their students. In this regard, it is important to investigate the relationship between thinking styles of preservice teachers from the Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology (CEIT) department who are expected to utilize from the ICT and their attitudes toward ICT. The present study aims to investigate thinking styles of preservice teachers from the CEIT department and their attitudes toward the ICT and the relationship between these two variables. According to the present study’s results, preservice teachers at most prefer innovative and visionary “Innovative thinking style” which deals with indetermined indefinite works; at least prefer “Traditionalist thinking style” which is subject to certain codes and more realists. Whereas gender and grade level variables have no any effect on thinking style preferences; academic success level has statistically significant difference. It was observed that attitudes of participants regarding utilization from the ICT in education was rather high; gender and grade variables have no effect on their attitude toward the ICT; there is positive and proportional relationship between academic success levels and their attitude toward the ICT. Moreover, as perception levels of preservice teachers regarding innovative thinking style increases, their attitude toward the ICT enhances. On the contrary, their perception levels regarding traditionalist thinking style increases, their attitude toward the ICT is affected adversely. Key words: Thinking styles, information and communication technologies, education technologies, computer usage in education, Computer Education and Instructional Technology (CEIT).

The effect of simulation methods in teaching physics on students’ academic success

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of simulation methods in teaching physics on students’ academic success.70 students (35 control, 35 experimental) who studied at the Near East University Faculty of Education, in the Department of Computer Education and Educational Technology, in 2013-2104 academic year participated in this research. Mixed methods approaches, which included both qualitative and quantitative methods, were used in the research. Instructional transaction included the subject of “Shooting” in the “Movements on Earth” unit. Statistical results of the data obtained after the application showed that students of the experimental group who were taught using simulations were more successful than the students of the control group who were taught by the traditional approach. Also, it was determined that students of the experimental group were satisfied by simulation-based Physics education.
 Keywords: physics education, simulation-based education, education technology.

Effect of educational agent and its form characteristics on problem solving ability perception of students in online task based learning media

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of an educational agent, used in online task based learning media, and its form characteristics on problem solving ability perceptions of students. 2x2 factorial design is used in this study. The first study factor is the role of the educational agent and the second factor is form characteristics of the educational agent. The educational agent plays two different roles (teacher and friend). Form factor is whether the educational agent is supported by speech bubble or not. The dependent variable of this study is problem solving ability perception. The working group of the study consists of 47 students, taking ‘Multimedia Design and Creation’ classes in the spring term of 20102011 academic year in the department of Computer Education and Instructional Technologies of Ankara Universtiy. In terms of two variables, students were assigned to four different experiment groups at random. All of the experimental studies were maintained online. Measurements regarding dependent variables were carried out online. Problem Solving Inventory (PSI) is used to measure problem solving ability perceptions. Pre-test problem solving ability perception points were controlled in order to determine the effect of experimental operations on groups and post-test points were then compared. It is determined that applied method has an important effect on problem solving ability perception of students and that the educational agent in the role of teacher is more effective than the role of friend in the development of problem solving ability perception.Keywords: programming teaching, problem solving ability, educational agent.

Designation of teacher candidates’ self-efficacy and success level in designing multimedia

This research aims to determine the self-efficacy and success levels of teaching candidates on developing multimedia to the Docebo learning management system through integrating various online tools in developing multimedia courses and using this method in a project-based learning process. Second year students from the department of Computer Education and Educational Technology participated in this research. Random selection method was used in order to assign the students to the groups. Online (30 participants) and blended (30 participants) groups were constituted for this experimental study. Based on the pre-test results of the students participating in the study, it was investigated as to whether there was a difference between the groups. Since pre-test success scores of the students from the two groups would affect the results of the research, the difference between the two groups was examined by applying a t-test. There was no significant difference in the pre-test scores of the teaching candidates in the group. Data from the research were collected with demographic information forms and 5-point Likert-type scale developed by authors. Keywords: multimedia designing, teacher candidates, internet based learning, learning management systems, online learning. Â

English

This study aims to show the present conditions about the usage of cloud computing in the department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology (CEIT) amongst teacher trainees in School of Necatibey Education, Balikesir University, Turkey. In this study, a questionnaire with open-ended questions was used.  17 CEIT teacher trainees participated in the study. The aim of this qualitative study was to determine trends about cloud technology. The cloud technology under study included “Dropbox”, “SpiderOak”, “Google Drive”, “IDrive”, “pCloud”, “OpenDrive”, “Bitcasa”, “OneDrive”, “Tresorit”, “Box” and “Yandex.Disk. The CEIT teacher trainees’ opinions about cloud storage and its purposes; their opinions about types of cloud storage and the level of importance of cloud storage were investigated. The reliability and validity were taken.  The advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing were examined. The study found that CEIT teacher trainees’ had used cloud storages such as Dropbox and Google Drive previously and they continue to use primarily Dropbox, followed by Google Drive and OneDrive respectively. Key words: Cloud computing technology, Dropbox, Google drive, choices of cloud storage, computer education and instructional technology (CEIT)

The Impact of Social Networks on Undergraduate Students Learning Foreign Language

The aim of this paper is to identify under which circumstances undergraduate students use social networking sites in order to learn foreign language. The study was conducted with students studying at the Near East University, Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Department of Computer Education and Educational Technology, Department of Teaching for the Mentally Retarded, Department of Music Education and Department of Mathematics teaching. In total 85 students agreed to take part in this study. Research was conducted during the fall semester 2013-2014. Students were asked to express the extent of their feeling while learning foreign language through social networking sites for each of the 16 positive items on a 5-point Likert scale. The reliability of the questionnaire was measured through Cronbach Alpha, yielding a score of 0.89. The findings of the study indicate that even though students learn foreign language through social networks, they are still apprehensive in communicating with one another.

Determination of University Students’ Reasons Ofusing Social Networking Sites in their Daily Life

The aim of this research is to find out undergraduate students’ reasons of using social media in their daily life. In this research students were chosenfrom Near East University's various departments. 229 volunteer undergraduate students from the department of teaching the mentally disadvantaged, department of music teaching, department of pre-school teaching, department of psychological counseling and guidance, and department of computer education and instructional technology were chosen as a sample. This study was applied during the 2013-2014 spring term. The survey was development by the author. This 5 type likert survey contains 16 positive statements. The collected data was analyzed with the SPSS package software. Results were shownthrough percentages and descriptions. According to the results, the most frequent reason for using social networking is for instant communication with their friends.

FACTORS MOTIVATING PRESERVICE TEACHERS FOR ONLINE LEARNING WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF ARCS MOTIVATION MODEL

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors motivating pre-service teachers for online learning within the context of ARCS motivation model. The study, in which the phenomenology model was used, was carried out with 52 pre-service teachers attending the department of Computer Education and Instructional Technologies at the Education Faculty of Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University in Turkey. The participants were experienced in online learning. In the study, the data were collected with an open-ended questionnaire within the framework of the ARCS motivation model. The research data were analyzed with descriptive analysis and examined fewer than four themes (attention, relevance, confidence and satisfaction). Also, for each theme, sub-themes were obtained. The most frequent factor motivating for online learning was “relevance to individual differences” found under the theme of “confidence”. As for the least frequent motivating one, it was “flexibility” found under the theme of “relevance”.

Examining Pre-Service Teachers’ Opinions Regarding to Augmented Reality Learning

Augmented reality (AR) combines the reality with computer-generated digital information in real time. It has been used different disciplines such as e-learning system, medicine, architecture, e-commerce, etc. It also has various implications in learning and training. In this research, 51 pre-service teachers’ opinions from the Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology in Gazi University in Turkey were identified about augmented reality learning. They answered a student survey which includes six items about the AR, and its use in educational settings. Pre-service teachers think and believe that AR applications can increase the knowledge on the topic, make the course content more enjoyable, increase the motivation towards the course, and has really positive educational advantages. Based on the research results, researchers in the field of education should perform experimental investigations on how AR can be applied in learning and training in future researches.

Bilişim Teknolojileri Öğretmeni Adaylarının Programlama Sürecini Etkileyen Faktörler

The aim of this study is to determine the problems effecting programming process of preservice information technology teachers and the reasons of these problems by monitoring programming process. In this study, programming processes of pre-service teachers were investigated with cognitive task analysis. Six Information Technologies teacher candidates, taking Internet Based Programming course in Fall Semester of 2011-2012 academic year at the Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technologies (CEIT) at Hacettepe University, participated in the study. Participants were divided to three groups, namely advanced, intermediate and beginner according to their prior programming knowledge and experiences, Tasks of writing program and reading program were assigned to the participants. After the tasks of reading program and thinking and writing program simultaneously, interviews were made with retrospective thinking aloud procedure. The data was analyzed by the NVivo 8 package program. It was found that while participants in advanced level were more successful in the task of writing program, participants in intermediate level were more successful in the task of reading program. The findings indicated that these two processes, writing program and reading program, may require different skills and cognitive processes.

Technology Literacy According to Students: What is It, where are We and What Should We Do for Parents and Children?

Nowadays, there is a swift transformation in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and all technological devices and tools affect our lives both on an individual and societal level with their innovations. Especially such technological devices as computers, mobile phones and tablet PCs require us to know how to use these technologies efficiently, therefore aiming to make their use and the lives of individuals and societies much easier. In this view, the concept of technology literacy comes to the prominence. In this study designed qualitatively, the opinions of 25 students from the Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technologies about the term ‘technological literacy’ are collected. A definition is made using these concepts while students define technological literacy as becoming aware and following, ability to use, problem solving and benefiting from its use in social life. In addition to that, students stated negative opinions about the society in which they live. They stated that there is an unconscious and purposeless or limited technology use even though the use of technology differs to a great extent in terms of age. Students also made a recommendation for parents and children to get education on technology, to acquire further information and to keep a close track on technology

Bilişim Teknolojileri Dersinde Kullanılan Performansa Dayalı Değerlendirme Yöntemlerine İlişkin Nitel Bir Çalışma

In this study, Information Technologies teachers' views and usage cases on performance based assesment methods (PBAMs) are examined. It is aimed to find out which of the PBAMs are used frequently or not used, preference reasons of these methods and opinions about the applicability of them. Study is designed with the phenomenological design which is a qualitative research method. Interviews, observations and document analy- sis methods are used and triangulation is ensured. The study is carried out with the teachers who thought to reflect the phenomenon (performance based assesment methods used in Information Technologies lesson) clearly. All of the 6 Information Technologies teachers working in 5 different schools of Ankara are graduated from Faculty of Education, Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technologies. As a result of the study, it is found that teachers are not using the PBAMs enough. It is seen that portfolios, projects and per- formance tasks are used but the other methods are almost never used. Teachers show the lack of time and the difficulty of these methods as the most important two deterrent factors in front of the applicability of PBAMs. Enabling students to take responsibility, process evaluation and performance evaluation are the factors leading to the usage of these PBAMs.

A Usability Study of an Online Instructional Multi-media Discussion Environment

The present study aims to evaluate the usability of the Online Instructional Multi-Media Discussion Environment which was developed in the Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology (CEIT) at the Hacettepe University as part of a doctoral thesis. The study was designed as a case study and conducted with 56 CEIT senior students. The results of the research are considered to be significant as they could both help the people responsible for the design of sites and their contents, and form the basis for further usability studies in order to develop online instructional multi-media discussion environments.

BÖTE Bölümü Öğretmen Adaylarının Öğrenme Stillerinin Çeşitli Değişkenler Açısından İncelenmesi

This research is a survey model study which aimed to examine the CEIT department pre-service teachers’ learning styles and effect of some variables such as gender, age, class level, graduated high school type and income level of the family on the learning style of pre-service teachers. The study was conducted in Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technologies at Trakya University, Faculty of Education during the fall semester of 2010-2011 academic year. The sample was composed of 101 preservice teachers. Kolb Learning Style Inventory III (KLSI-III) was used in order to determine pre-service teachers’ learning styles. The applicability to the Turkish language and reliability study of this inventory was carried out by Gencel (2006). In order to evaluate the obtained data, percentage, standard deviation,chi square test, t-test and ANOVA analysis tests were used. The research results, demonstrated that the pre-service teachers mainly have Converging and Assimilating learning styles and pre-service teachers’learning styles were not changed according to the gender, age, class level, graduated high school type and family income level variables.