The effect of station-based teaching method on the success of 6th grade students in matter and heat unit and students' opinions on the method

This study aims to compare the effects of traditional and station-based teaching methods on the success of 6th grade students in Matter and Heat Unit and identify the students' opinions on the method. Research data were obtained through combined method consisting of quantitative and qualitative measurements. In the quantitative part of the research model design with pretest posttest control group was adopted for the research. Inter- and intra-relationships of the experimental and control groups were also evaluated after the study. The study group of the research consisted of 54 students of Atatürk Secondary School in Çınar, Diyarbakır, who were attending 6th grade education during II. semester of the 2016-2017 academic year. The 16-hour practice of the study was designed to cover Matter and Heat Unit. While 27 students forming the experimental group of the research were subject to station-based teaching method, traditional teaching method was adopted for the 27-student control group by sticking to the attainments prescribed by the Ministry of National Education. The practice process was undertaken by the researcher who is a science teacher. 5 different stations that are poem, short story, painting, song and motto were created Study sheets and course book were used at the stations. For the comparison of MIÜBT point averages of the students in experimental and control groups; non-parametric Mann Whitney-U Test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test methods were used for independent and dependent groups respectively. Furthermore, 5-question semi-structured Interview Form was applied to 25 students to take opinions of the experimental group about the station-based teaching method. Percentages and frequencies were specified by categorizing answers of the students to the questions in the form. Besides studies of the experimental group was observed by the researcher through an Observation Form. 10 observations of the students were categorized as Good, Average and Unsatisfying on the Observation Form, and their percentages and frequencies were specified. According to data analysis results, the success levels of experimental and control groups which were similar at the beginning increased after this study. However, such increase went in favor of the experimental group. In respect to the results obtained from the qualitative part of the research, it was found out that the students quite enjoyed the station-based teaching method and they wanted this method to be used during other subjects of the Science Course and other courses. Keywords: Science, Station-Based Teaching Method, Matter and Heat Unit