Investigation of the use of concept cartoons in the learning process of 8th grade students: Exponential numbers example

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of concept cartoons on the learning processes of 8th-grade students in the topic of exponential numbers. The study aims to address students' conceptual misunderstandings, increase their interest in mathematics lessons, and help them better comprehend mathematical concepts. The research method was designed as a case study, one of the qualitative research methods. The study group consisted of 8 eighth-grade students studying at a middle school in the city center of Kırşehir during the 2023-2024 academic year. Throughout the research process, instructional practices supported by concept cartoons were applied to the students. For data collection, 21 concept cartoons developed by the researcher, designed to identify students' conceptual misunderstandings, were used. Additionally, qualitative data were gathered through student interviews conducted after the application. The findings revealed that concept cartoons helped reduce students' misconceptions about exponential numbers and increased their interest in the lessons. The students were able to concretize abstract concepts through the use of cartoons and actively participated in the learning process. According to student feedback, concept cartoons made the lessons more enjoyable and facilitated understanding of the topics. As a result, it was concluded that concept cartoons are an effective tool in mathematics education and positively impact students' learning processes. In this context, it is recommended that concept cartoons be used in teaching different mathematical topics as well.