Development of guide material for DNA extraction and electrophoresis

In this study, the effect of guiding material developed for DNA isolation and electrophoresis on the success of the students is analyzed.Regarding the study, first of all the literature on how to prepare the content of the guiding material for DNA isolation and electrophoresis is collected. Then the most effective method for biology teaching is determined as the experimental method, and it has been deduced that the material should include experiments. In the following sections, information on experimental method and its emphasis, DNA?s structural characteristics, electrophoresis technique and its usage are given. The empirical guiding material is prepared in the appropriate format in order to teach electroferosis technique, its usage, and usefulness, DNA?s structure, its positioning in the cell and its organisation in the most effective way. When preparing the guiding material, the applicability of the empirical method is taken into consideration, and it has been paid attention to determine the related material used in experiments to be among the ones in home and obtained easily. Although simple methods are generally used, in certain cases of not applying empirical method because of impossibilities, visual laboratory presentations are used as an alternative.Sample of the study is collected in 2008?2009 fall semester and is composed of 170 students of Ankara Atatürk High School and Ankara Kalaba Anatolian High Schools?s 9th classes. In this study, DNA isolation and electrophoresis are teached by simple explanation method, as a traditional way, to control group; it is done via empirical method to Experiment 1 Group by picking up 2 example experiments. In addition, it is done to Experiment 2 Group via visual laboratory method. Pre-test / final test pattern with control group is used as the research pattern. Data of the research is collected by using two scales. (1) Logical Thinking Skill Test, (2) DNA İsolation and Electroforez Success Test are applied.When analyzing data, ANOVA (single ended variant analysis) is used for Logical Thinking Skill Test in order to measure students? cognitive development levels. Pre-test / final test results of the groups amongst themselves are analyzed via t-test for dependent groups. The answers of the students are categorized as true answer, irregular answer, false answer, and I forgot / I don?t know. Data collected from the final tests are analised with ANCOVA nevertheless close reasoning ability and advance information is adopted as common variable.In conclusion, it is stated that Experiment 1 Group who has been lectured by using guiding material are more successful than Experiment 2 Group who are lectured by using visual laboratory method and control group who are lectured by standard explanation method. Therefore it is understood that the guiding material has fulfilled its purpose. Besides, it is founded that students lectured via visual laboratory method are more successful than those who are lectured via standard explanation. Because of this result, where there is no way to apply empirical method; visual laboratory method could be preferred, and at least visual information could be supplied.