The relationship between autonomous learning, circadian rhythm, social jetlag, average sleep length and science achievement

The aim of this study is to investigate whether the individual differences in circadian rhythms, autonomous learning, social jetlag, average sleep length and its relationship with the individual success of science course and scores that obtained from science achievement test applied at different times of day differs with the preferences of individual circadian rhythms.To determine the relationships between variables in this study, descriptive relational method is used. The sample is consisting of 291 sixth-grade students who are attending in a public school in Darıca. In this study, to determine the preferences of circadian rhythms, circadian rhythm scale (MESC), which was adopted into Turkish by Önder and Beşoluk (2013) and studied for its reliability and validity, was used. Autonomous learning scale for the purpose of teaching English by Kaya (2012) was used by adopting it to autonomous learning activities. To identify the achievement of science of the students, three achievement tests consisting of 20 items were developed for the purpose of applying in various periods of time. Through the conducted analysis, it was investigated whether variables such as age, gender, MSFsc (chronotype), Average Sleep Length (ASL), social jetlag, circadian rhythms and autonomous learning points predicted the average achievement scores or not. Statistically, it showed that the gender factor and social jetlag scores were significant predictors of average achievement scores. It was determined that the average achievement scores female students have higher than male students. Average achievement scores were negatively correlated with social jetlag points. For achievement points obtained in different time frames, it was analyzed whether gender, age, ASL, MSFsc, social jetlag, circadian rhythm and autonomous learning scores are significant predictors or not. According to the obtained data, gender and social jetlag scores were found to be statistically significant predictors for the scores of T1 (morning applied exam) exam. T1 exam scores of female students were found to be higher than that of male students. There is an inverse proportion between social jetlag and T1 exam achievement. Social jetlag scores were found to be statistically significant predictors for the scores of T2 (noon applied exam) exam. There seems to have an inverse proportion between the two factors. Gender, social jetlag scores, autonomous learning total scores and MSFsc scores were found to be statistically significant predictors for the scores of T3 (evening administered exam) exam. T3 exam scores of female students were found to be higher than that of male students. It is understood that T3 is related with social jetlag negatively, but it is related with MSFsc and autonomous learning score positively. The autonomous learning scores for age, gender, MSFsc, ASL, social jetlag and circadian rhythm total scores were analyzed whether they are significant predictors or not. Checking at the obtained data, the autonomous learning scores for gender and circadian rhythm scores were found to be statistically significant predictors. It is observed that the autonomous learning activity scores are higher in male students than in female students. It is found that there is a positively relation between autonomous learning scores and circadian rhythm scores. By checking the gender and age factors of morning-type and evening- type, the examined whether differences between their achievement scores of the test that were taken in various periods of day was studied. Examining of exam scores that the morning and evening types took in the morning and in the evening, there's a statically reasonable difference. The scores of the exams that the morning types took in the morning were reasonably high her than the scores of the exams they took in the evening. The scores of the exams that the evening types took in the evening were reasonably higher than the scores of the exam they took in the morning. Key Words: Autonomous Learning, Circadian Rhythm, Science Achievement, Average Sleep Length, Social Jetlag