The effects of learning package prepared according to the constructivist approach on information technologies course

This research aimed at determining the impacts of the learning package designed according to constructivist approach on achievement, attitudes towards information technologies and creativity of primary school pupils. Pretest and posttest experimental and control groups model was designed for this purpose. The research was conducted with 60 fourth-grade pupils studying at Saadet Emir in Buca District of Izmir during the academic year 2009-2010. To collect data, Criterion-Referenced Achievement Test, an Attitude Scale and Torrance Test of Creative Thinking, Verbal Test forms A and B were used.The package covered writing and designing presentations in computer as a part of information technologies subject-matter. Pre, post and follow-up test were administered for both experimental and control groups before, after the experiment and one month later. The experimental group was learnt the two subjects using the learning package based on constructivist approach, while the control group was taught by using the Teachers? Guide and Pupil Workbook designed by Ministry of National Education in line with constructivist approach, too. A month after application ended the retention of information and skills were measured.The result of research indicated that the constructivist approach had positive effect on pupils? achievement in writing and in design presentation in both experimental and control group. The same results were found for retention. This result considered in favor of learning package for being used an individually and an independently.Further more, the result revealed that the learning package led to a negative tendency upon the pupils? attitudes toward the information technologies course in writing, while it created a positive tendency in designing presentations. The attitudes of pupils who were learnt by learning package were found to be slightly negatively influenced after passing a month on the package application. It was concluded that this difference was due to the fact that after completion of package application and until administration of retention tests the pupils in control group continued to take the information technologies course by using Teachers? Guides and Pupil Workbooks.As for creativity, the use of learning package resulted in positive tendency in sub-dimensions of fluency, flexibility and originality in terms of writing. On the other hand, preparing presentations led to a negative tendency in fluency sub-dimension and to a positive tendency in flexibility and originality sub-dimensions. Experimental group compared with control group, except in flexibility dimension, showed retention in the other two creative dimensions. It was concluded that a 16 week of package application gave the result proved the usefulness of learning package.