Examination of the common knowledge construction model applications for the 6th grade "Matter and heat" unit in terms of various variables

In this study, the effect of the common knowledge construction model applied for the 6th grade "matter and heat" unit in the 2018 science curriculum on the academic achievement, scientific process skills and critical thinking skills of the students was examined. In the study, the explanatory-verifying research pattern of the mixed research model was used. In the quantitive part of this pattern, on the purpose of determining the efficiency of two different teaching methods, pre-test post-test unequalized control group pattern of semi-experimental research model from experimental research patterns was predicated. In the qualitative part of the work, students diaries, PECED (Predict, Explain, Collect data, Explain, Draw) papers and semi-contructed interviews forms were used. The work was carried out in 2018-2019 Academic year. The work which lasted 9 weeks was conducted with totaly 72 students in a secondary school in Manisa Province. In this work, 1 experimental group and control group were taught according to Common Knowledge Construction Model, the subjects in the control group were taught with regard to 2018 Science Subject Curriculum. The subjects in the pilot working group started two weeks earlier and finished two weeks earlier than the subjects of experimental group. During the Works of pilot working group, the disrupting points of appliying two weeks periods were detected and editions were made in PECED papers. After the regulations which were done in this part, the Works in Experimental Group were followed. In the work, with the aim of collecting quantitive datas, three stage achievement test, critical thinking skills test and scientific process skills tests were used. These tests were applied to the control group students as a pre-test before beginning the work; as a post-test after the work. Quantitive datas, which were gotten from the work, were analyzed by using SPSS statistics programme. In the work, the performance of academic success, scientific process skills and cirtical thinking of the students were also considered. In order to pick up qualitative data, PECED papers were used. In addition to this, the students who were taken place in the experimental and control group took diaries. Besides, semi-contructed interviews were conducted with 9 each students who were chosen from experimental and control groups. From the results which were gotten from quantitive datas, It was seen that the subjects which were taught according to Common Knowledge Construction Model were more effective than the subjects which were taught according to Science Subject Curriculum in enhancing the students' academic achievement and crtical thinking skills. Furthermore, It was detected that the performance of learning which happened in the subjects which were taught according to Common Knowledge Contruction Model on the students academic achievement and critical thinking was more permanent than the learning of the students in the control group. Besides, It was seen that the number of the correct answers in the explanations and drawings that were taken place in the PECED papers, which were used during the application of Common Knowledge Contruction Model, increased. From the interviews after the application, It has been reached to these results; Common Knowledge Construction Model is intersting and understandable; It is rich in terms of material; the situations which are seen in daily life are taken part and lots of new information is learnt. The students have stated that The experiments which were conducted during the work were informative; the videos were enjoyable and they liked the games which they played in the lessons. What's more, the stories in the PECED papers which were taken part in the work were liked by the students very much. Besides, in this work, the students have learned that all the information which is told may not be correct, sometimes there may be a sentence which is told by mistake. The students have also stated that they have searched on the net deeply while they are using tablets, they have shared the results with their friends and they have made discussions in the light of the information which was gotten from there and they have felt themselves more relaxed during these discussions.