Examining the effectiveness of instruction supported by digital technologies in the body systems and health unit for sixth grade

In this age of information, digital technologies are considered to be a response to the modern and current needs of teaching. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of digital technologies supported science teaching with current media contents, digital educational games, simulations and videos in the "Body Systems and Health" unit for sixth grade students. A qualitative-supported quantitative research model was used in the study. The sample of the study consisted of 73 sixth grade students studying at a state school in Istanbul, Turkey during the academic year of 2022-2023. The sample of the study involved an experimental group where digital technology-supported instruction was applied and a control group where the existing curriculum was applied. In this study, the "Body Systems and Health" unit was conducted to both groups by the same researcher for 18 course hours. The data gathering instruments used in the study were "Academic Achievement Test", "Association with Daily Life Test", "Interactive Whiteboard Attitude Scale", "Mind Maps" and "Evaluation of the Course Form". SPSS 21.0 program was used to analyze the quantitative data obtained, and content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. According to the results collected from the research, it was seen that digital technology- supported science education contributed to the academic achievement of the experimental group students, their ability to associate the subject with daily life, their attitudes towards the interactive whiteboard, their ability to structure the concept of media in their minds, and their positive opinions on the teaching method. It is suggested that digital technologies might be used effectively in different subjects and different grade levels in the future.