Effects of electricity instruction by modeling on conceptual understanding, academic achievement and epistemological beliefs

In this research, it was aimed to determine effects of modeling based electricity instruction on the students? academic achievement, conceptual understanding and beliefs about the nature of scientific knowledge and also the correlation among the students? achievement, conceptual understanding on electricity subjects and beliefs about the nature of scientific knowledge .In the research, pre-test and post-test research model with unbalanced control group, which is one of the semi-experimental models, was used and the research was carried out on two groups consisting of second grade students (n=41) at graduate level who took General Physics II course at 2007-2008 academic year. Modeling based electricity instruction was carried out in the experimental group and traditional physics instruction was carried out in the control group.The research data was collected by means of Electricity Success Test, Electricity Essay, Electricity Concept Test, Semi-Structured Interview Questions and Beliefs on the Nature of Scientific Knowledge Scale. Non-parametric test techniques were used in order to analyze the research data.According to the findings of the research, it was seen that modeling based instruction had positive effects on students? academic achievement and conceptual understanding of electricity subjects. Moreover, it was determined meaningful correlations between the experimental group students? academic achievement, conceptual understanding and beliefs on the nature of scientific knowledge. Some suggestions were forwarded under the light of results.