The effects of problem based learning method integrated visual arts on students? academic achievements, scientific creavities and attitudes towards science teaching with art activities

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of problem-based learning method integrated with visual arts on students? science academic achievements and attitude scale of science learning through art activities. The topics of ?Particulate Nature of Matter? in Science and Technology Course were adapted to problem-based learning method integrated with visual arts. In the study, pre test-post test control group quasi experimental design was used. The sixth levels students who receive education in an elementary school in Buca in İzmir were constituted as the working group of the investigation. Two classes determined and pointed as experimental (n=24) and control (n=22) group. In experimental process last in seven weeks, lessons in experiment group were carried out by using problem based learning method integrated with visual arts and lessons in control group were carried out by using only primary science and technology curriculum. In the study, ?The Academic Achievement Test about The Unit of Particulate Nature of Matter? and ?Attitude Scale of Science Learning through Art Activities? were used as data collecting tools. Data collection tools were applied to both groups before and after the process. Data were analyzed with SPSS 17 program. Descriptive statistical data used to assess quantitave data while variance analysis used for repetitive measurements. After data analysis, a significant difference found in science academic achievement, scientific creativity and attitude towards learning science with art activities between experimental and control groups in favor of experiment group. Students have been asked semi-structured interview questions to determine their opinions about problem based learning method integrated with visual arts and their level of concept learning. Descriptive statistical data and content analysis were used while assessing obtained qualitative data. After assessment of qualitative data, it can be said that students have positive opinions about problem based learning integrated with visual arts.Keywords: Problem Based Learning, Science and Technology Teaching, Visual Arts?