Effects of computer-assisted instruction and conceptual change texts on removing the misconceptions of science teacher candidates on the subject of radioactivity

The goal of this study is to research the effects of the use of computer-assisted instruction (CAI), conceptual change texts (CCT), use of computer-assisted instruction and conceptual change texts together, and use of traditional teaching method in removing the misconceptions of science teacher candidates on the issue of radioactivity. On the other hand, effects of practiced methods on the attitudes of science teacher candidates were also researched. Research sample was made of totally 92 students studying at four different divisions of 4th grade in Celal Bayar University, Education Faculty, Department of Science Education in 2011-2012 academic year. A different teaching method was used in each division. Determinations about experimental groups were randomly made; in the first experimental group, computer-assisted instruction was used (23 students); in the second experimental group, conceptual change texts were used (23 students); in the third experimental group, computer-assisted instruction and conceptual change texts were used together (23 students); and the division, on which traditional education method was used, was called control group (23 students). Two-stage ?Misconception Determination Test?, which was developed by the researcher, interviews and ?Physics Learning Attitude Scale? were used as data collection tools of the research. ?Nonequivalent Control Groups Experimental Design? was used in this research in order to determine the efficiency of different teaching methods. Obtained data were analyzed by using SPSS 21.0. As a result of the research, it was determined that methods used on experimental groups were more successful than traditional teaching method practiced on control group both in terms of removing misconceptions and researching attitudes of students about learning physics. Key Words: Computer-assisted instruction (CAI), conceptual change texts (CCT), physics teaching, misconceptions, radioactivity.